Seychelles has accepted the invitation of Belgium’s State Minister to participate in the internationally-recognized exposition 2017, if ever the city of Liege wins the bid.

The invitation was extended by Mr. Philippe Monfils, the Minister of State from Belgium, during a courtesy call on Mr. Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister for Tourism and Culture.

Mr. Monfils has lengthily explained the raison d’être of Liege as a candidate to host the Exposition 2017.

“The world is conceived as a village. It is important that we promote the concept of citizen of the world or globalism. Liege’s bid is a great opportunity to promote the region and at the same time to connect the world. The city of Liege has a long history of international expositions and a region of cultural attractions,” he said.

Minister St. Ange said Seychelles would be present at Expo 2017, which will see the participation of the Seychelles Tourism Board. It will be a promotional opportunity for Seychelles in Europe.

“With Europe, that continues to remain our primary tourism market, we see the Expo 2017 as the ideal platform to work with our partners and secure the Seychelles market share of its main market. We have lengthily spoken about the tourism and economic benefits that Seychelles can reap by participating at expos worldwide. Seychelles has listened to the appeal by Liege to support its candidacy for the Expo 2017,” Minister St.Ange said.

The Belgium State Minister, accompanied by Xavier Heinen, Honorary Consul of Belgium, was also briefed on the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands annual “Carnaval International de Victoria” that is staged in Seychelles. Minister St.Ange took the opportunity of the meeting to invite Belgium for the 2013 edition of the carnival to be held on February on 8-10.

Seychelles’ hosting of a carnival, said Mr. Monfils, is “an excellent initiative, because carnivals benefit communities by bringing people together.”

At the end of their meeting in the presence of the Chief Executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board, Elsia Grandcourt, Minister St. Ange presented the Belgium State Minister with a limited edition souvenir book, “Seychelles Enters the World of Carnivals.”

Supported by the Belgium federal government, Liege is in the race for Expo 2017 with Astana city of Kazakhstan. The international exhibition bureau’s General Assembly will decide in December 2012 which city is to organize expo 2017.