Ambassador Shari Villarosa of the United States of America called on Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, for a working visit after having presented her credentials to Mr. James Michel, the island’s President.

This was the first meeting between the new US Ambassador and the Seychelles Minister and both exchanged ideas and explored areas for cooperation.

Ambassador Shari and Minister St.Ange discussed visits by US navy ships for the Carnival International de Victoria that is staged annually in Seychelles. This was deemed an opportunity for the Community of Nations to rally and show their support with Seychelles and the region in their continuous fight against the “armed bandits from Somalia.” In the past, the Russia, India, UK, France, and even Australia have had navy ships in Port Victoria on carnival day and all have been committed to communities from the East African Coast, the Gulf of Aden, and the Indian Ocean islands who have seen their shipping routes affected by these “armed bandits.”

They also discussed the participation of the US at the carnival on the Equator and to see the flag of the USA march alongside the 30 plus international delegations at this annual carnival of carnivals staged under the banner of the melting pot of cultures.

The Seychelles October Creole Festival was also discussed and an invitation for Louisiana of New Orleans, a Creole-speaking part of the Americas to be represented alongside the other Creole-speaking countries and islands of the world. “Victoria is known to be the Capital of the World of Creoles and having the USA flag paraded in the World of Creoles Festival, because they are an integral part of that world, would enhance the diversity that exists in Creoles and how we all speak Creole,” Minister St.Ange said.

“I have personally invited Ambassador Shari Villarosa to visit the islands of Praslin and La Digue on her next visit,” Minister Alain St.Ange said to the press by phone after his meeting with the US Ambassador.