The first Mauritian Ambassador to be accredited in Seychelles, Mrs. Marie-France Roussety, confirmed that she would be following closely the dossier for improving aviation connectivity between Seychelles and Mauritius. Mrs. Roussety made the statement during a courtesy call on Minister Alain St.Ange at his offices at the National Cultural Center in Victoria.

During the meeting, the newly-accredited Mauritian Ambassador to Seychelles commented on the urgency to improve the air connectivity between the two islands, saying that it would open up new commercial and tourism avenues between the Mauritius and Seychelles. Ambassador Roussety noted that “the newly-appointed Indian Ocean Commission Secretary General, Mr. Jean Claude de l’Estrac. has made the promotion of maritime connectivity within islands of the Indian Ocean one of his primary missions. With such actions, we should be in a position to establish true regional cooperation. Many new opportunities exist between Seychelles and Mauritius, and we should be able to seize upon them in the true spirit of regional cooperation,” Ambassador Roussety said.

On his part, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism&Culture, Mr. Alain St.Ange, said that he believes that the two islands should be able to work closer together in mutual cooperation.

“Together we can galvanize our efforts into new areas of cooperation in the tourism sphere,” emphasised Minister St.Ange, “for example, Seychelles has been pushing and is still pushing for Mauritius to become one of the co-host countries for the 3rd edition of the Carnival International de Victoria,” Minister St.Ange said.

Samples of 2013 carnival posters were presented to Ambassador Roussety together with a carnival souvenir book. Minister St.Ange explained to Ambassador Roussety that La Reunion, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar have already confirmed that they will be co-hosting the carnival with Seychelles. “This approach brings tourism promotion for twin-center approach closer. The Indian Ocean islands can work closer with the African mainland, and Seychelles believes in unity of our region as this is an approach for strength. Mauritius is to yet to confirm its participation at the 2013 carnival, let alone becoming a co-host,” the minister said.

Ambassador Roussety said that the carnival was indeed an ideal platform to showcase the diversity of the Indian Ocean islands, and she noted the point made that it could be an added visibility campaign for Mauritius.