Seychelles honorary consuls appointed in Vietnam and Canada

Seychelles' Honorary consuls and guests in group photo after opening ceremony Tuesday April 22, at Kempinski Resort at Baie Lazare. Sixty of the almost ninety Seychelles’ consuls abroad attended the conference. (Louis Toussaint, Seychelles Nation)  

(Seychelles News Agency) - With consulates in sixty-three countries, the small islands of the Seychelles are well-represented in their relations with other countries. This week, two more honorary consuls have been appointed by the government of Seychelles; one in Vietnam and another in Canada.

On June 18, Philippe Le Gall, who is Seychelles’ Ambassador to China, as well as the non-resident ambassador to nine other Asian countries, including Vietnam, presented Le Thanh Thao with her consular commission, signed by Seychelles’ President James Michel, making her the honorary consul of Seychelles in Hanoi, Vietnam, according to a press statement issued by the Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

When Michel visited Vietnam in August 2013, he expressed the wish to have a permanent resident representative of the Seychelles in Hanoi, particularly since a number of agreements were signed between the two countries for bilateral cooperation.

“The appointment of Ms. Le Thanh Thao in Hanoi is a much welcome, and most useful and timely addition to my Country’s network of Honorary Consuls, ahead of the economic integration of ASEAN member states next year: a dynamic community of countries to which Seychelles is paying attention in a pro-active way,” remarked Le Gall at the ceremony, which was attended by the Vietnamese Deputy Minister for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ho Anh Tuan and other dignitaries.

Le Thanh Thao, who is a well-known travel agent in Hanoi, has said she would focus on tourism, investments and trade exchanges between the two countries. She added that she would also avail herself to Seychellois nationals traveling to Vietnam for leisure or business, as well as assist the Ambassador to follow up on cooperation agreements, especially those related to agriculture, education and transportation.

The appointment of Stuart M. Miller as Honorary Consul for the Republic of Seychelles to Canada was also announced by the Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Miller’s consular district will cover the Canadian province of Ontario, which includes Toronto, where the consular office will be based, and the Canadian capital city of Ottawa.

“The Government of Seychelles is delighted to have someone of Mr. Miller's stature representing Seychelles in Toronto,” Minister Adam said. “Not only is he a well-respected lawyer, (he) is also a senior business executive with extensive experience in the hotel industry and infrastructure development, which are two priorities for the government and key areas of the Seychelles economy.”

“On behalf of Canada, I welcome Mr. Miller's appointment as Honorary Consul for the Republic of Seychelles in Toronto," stated Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird. "Seychelles is one of Canada's longstanding friends in Eastern Africa and Mr. Miller's appointment and activities will no doubt help foster this important relationship.”

Seychelles has two other honorary consuls based in Canada; one in Quebec and another in the western coastal city of Vancouver.

Seychelles diplomatic missions

Seychelles, a small island state of 90,000 people, has embassies in New York, Paris, London, Brussels, Pretoria, Addis Ababa, New Delhi, Abu Dhabi and Beijing, and appoints honorary consuls and consuls general to countries where it does not have permanent missions.