Aussie News - Issue 24 - March 2007

Seychelles

During the High Commissioner’s recent farewell visit to the Seychelles, he had calls on the President, James Michel, the Vice President, Joseph Belmont, the Foreign Minister, Patrick Pillay, the Minister for Education, Mr Bernard Shamlaye and the Minister for Environment, Mr Ronny Jumeau. They all expressed a warm appreciation for the developments in the bilateral relationship over the past few years, including our assistance to Seychelles in relation to the December 2004 Tsunami (AUD 0.5 million), our Direct Aid Projects undertaken over this time, the removal of the English language test requirement for students studying in Australia and our various public diplomacy events. The success of the Australian Week event, featuring an Australian Film Festival and the education promotions, highlighted the healthy state of the bilateral relationship.