This defense focused Joint Commission follows the visit of the Minister of Defense of Spain, Mrs. Carme Chacón, in July in Seychelles and the visit of Seychelles President Michel to Spain in September last year when a Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation and a Declarations of Intentions were signed with the government of Spain.

The Seychelles delegation was led by the Chief of Staff of the SPDF, Colonel Clifford Roseline, and consisted of representatives of the Seychelles Coastguard, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Luis Cuesta Civis, Secretary General for Defense Policy of the Spanish Military Defense, headed the Spanish delegation. The Spanish Ambassador for Seychelles, Mr. Antonio Sanchez-Benedito, was also present during the discussions.

The emerging agreement included training for Seychelles military personnel both in Spain and on Spanish naval vessels deployed in the area and a pledge to improve piracy-related exchanges of information between both governments.

The agreement also outlined the conditions and regulations required for Spanish tuna vessels operating in the region to carry high-caliber defensive weapons as had previously been discussed in the July visit of Minister Chacon.

The Spanish delegation also met with Mr. Jean- aul Adam, the Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs, during which time they thanked the government of Seychelles for its efforts in the fight against piracy and the assistance provided by the Seychelles government to the Spanish tuna fleet.