Germany's outgoing ambassador touts friendlier relations, increased tourism with Seychelles

Diplomacy |Author: Daniel Laurence Edited by: Betymie Bonnelame | June 14, 2018, Thursday @ 11:13| 4688 views

Jutta Frasch paid a farewell visit to President Danny Faure at State House on Wednesday. (Jude Morel)

(Seychelles News Agency) - Germany's outgoing ambassador to Seychelles cited increased German tourism and the building of friendlier relations with the island nation as strong achievements during her tenure.

Jutta Frasch paid a farewell visit to President Danny Faure at State House, in the Seychelles capital, Victoria on Wednesday.

“We have been able to establish stronger diplomatic ties between our countries by addressing several pertinent issues such as marine security, tourism, and fisheries,” Frasch told reporters.

On his side, President Faure thanked Frasch for her efforts to bolster bilateral ties between Seychelles and Germany during her tenure.

“The state of bilateral relations is excellent and we are confident that this will continue in the coming future with cooperation in other fields of mutual interest. Seychelles is highly appreciative of the strong support that Germany has and continues to provide and we hope that we can continue to count on Germany for support in meeting some of our development aspirations,” said Faure.

During her meeting with the President, the outgoing ambassador shared some of her key achievements particularly in the in the area of tourism. Seychelles has become a very popular destination for German tourists.

“I am very happy that German tourists are coming in bulk and we are now No.1 in Seychelles,” she added. 

Germany was the leading market in visitor arrivals last year in Seychelles, a western Indian Ocean archipelago, with 50,476. In the latest figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, Germany still leads with 5,904 visitors to the island nation since the beginning of 2018.

Frasch also highlighted her success at raising greater awareness at the level of the European Union in understanding the specificities and methods of cooperation with a high income like Seychelles.

Seychelles is a high-income country and we, therefore “cannot apply the same method as in other African countries as far as political dialogue is concerned,” said Frasch.

During her mandate which ends in July, Frasch promoted the idea of sustainable fisheries in the island nation, an industry that is the second top contributor to the Seychelles’ economy.

The German ambassador said that she is satisfied with her mandate and that she hopes her successor, who is going to be a woman, continues the work that she has done.

Frasch was accredited in March 2016 and was based in Nairobi, Kenya.  


Tags: National Bureau of Statistics, European Union

Back  

» Related Articles:

Search

Search