Seychelles and Mauritius have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cultural exchanges after they met at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the presence of Ambassador Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, the Principle Secretary of the Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The signing of the cultural exchange pact, for the years 2012-2015, between the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St.Ange, and the Mauritius Minister for Arts and Culture, Mookhesswur Choonee, is geared towards the promotion of bilateral cultural exchanges between the two islands.

In 2008-2011, Seychelles and Mauritius had already signed a cultural Memorandum of Understanding.

The new binding document for the year 2012-2015 covers areas for the development of cultural tourism and encourages cooperation in the field of creative industry.

Under this Memorandum of Understanding, both island nations have agreed to encourage joint projects and facilitate exchanges such as literary and artistic.
It also contributes to the exchanges and cooperation between institutions and organizations that are in charge of cultural affairs, as well as cultural creators, researchers, and cultural agents of these two countries.

The Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture, Alain St.Ange, said that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is a follow-up of the historic state visit in Seychelles by the Prime Minister of Mauritius, His Excellency Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, which concluded in the reinforcement of bilateral ties between the two countries.

“President James Michel of Seychelles and Dr. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, the Mauritius Prime Minister, have set the benchmark for the strengthening of bilateral ties between the two countries. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding [is] to promote culture and to develop cultural tourism exchanges between Mauritius and Seychelles, and it will help to consolidate the working partnership between our two islands. In Seychelles, we believe that without people, we couldn’t have culture, and without culture, we cannot have a solid tourism industry. With the signing of the MOU, we want to kick-start something new in line with the benchmark set by leaders of the two countries,” Minister Alain St.Ange said.

On his part, Minister Choonee has emphasized the aspect of cultural tourism, which he said is a new component of the Memorandum of Understanding.
Minister Choone has also reinforced the need to consolidate the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, saying that the time has come for both countries to “shift their gears and get their targets straight.”

Minister Choonee has promised that he will head the Mauritius delegation to the Seychelles for the Creole Festival in October.