Mr. Jean Omer Beriziky, the Prime Minister of Madagascar and Head of the Government, welcomed Mr. Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, at his Offices at the Palais d’Etat de Mahazoarivo in Antananarivo where they discussed the importance of cooperation between the Indian Ocean islands.

Minister St.Ange, who was in Madagascar on a working visit to participate in the International Tourism Fair of Madagascar, used the opportunity of his visit to hold discussions with the Madagascar government officials. He met the President, Mr. Andry Rajoelina, and held discussions with Mr. Jean Max Rakotomamonjy, the Minister for Tourism, and Mr. Pierrot J. Rajaonarivelo, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, apart from the President and Executive Director of the Office National du Tourisme de Madagascar.

Madagascar, along with the Seychelles, La Reunion, Mauritius, Comoros, and Mayotte, are all part of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands grouping, and the importance of the consolidation of the group was a point discussed between the Madagascar Prime Minister and the Seychelles Minister.

Madagascar has confirmed to be in Seychelles for the July Routes Africa Meeting, which will run alongside the Indian Ocean Islands Vanilla islands meeting and the Board of RETOSA.