The International Affairs Committee, led by the chairperson, Hon. Waven William, had a meeting with all the Seychellois heads of foreign missions based overseas at Eden Blue on Monday 24th October.
The ambassadors respectively intervened on pertinent agenda points so that the IAC members could better understand their respective concerns and jurisdictions of posting. The ambassadors and Charge D' Affaires present were Mr. Claude Morel, Mr. Selby Pillay, Mrs. Beryl Samson, Mr. Jean Claude Adrienne, Mr. Conrad Mederic, Mrs. Lalatiana Accouche, Mrs. Anne Lafortune, Mr. Ian Madeleine, Mr. Jacques Belle and Ms. Patsy Moustache. The principal secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Vivianne Fock Tave was also present in the meeting.
The salient points discussed were; whether their respective missions are being used to the maximum by MDAs; the challenges faced in carrying out their functions effectively; and finally, how the National Assembly or the International Affairs Committee can assist the Seychelles’ foreign missions.
Following the ambassadors' interventions, the IAC members were able to engage with the ambassadors through various questions put and clarifications sought after. The following points were raised and discussed, such as; the requirements needed for Seychelles to be white listed amidst the various international obligations being imposed on the country to comply with; whether consideration will be given to review the basic support necessary for the efficient running of the foreign missions to ease challenges of inflation and price hikes; and the relevant stakeholders input in decision making and coordination of scholarships choices reflecting the manpower needs of Seychelles. Both parties also discussed the consideration by foreign mission partnerships and their support to parliamentary diplomacy in their respective jurisdictions, as well as the reporting modality of foreign missions and access to these reports by IAC.
The meeting ended with the Chairperson of IAC, Hon. William thanking and congratulating all the ambassadors for their hard work and recognizing the very harsh working environments that same of them are facing in their respective jurisdictions. Hon William reassured them that the National Assembly will give its full support wherever possible. The IAC members present were Hon Philip Monthy, Hon Kelly Samynadin, Hon Johan Loze, Hon Philip Arissol and Hon Egbert Aglae. Noting that Hon Wavel Woodcock is on overseas' mission.
