PRESIDENT KIKWETE AND PRESIDENT MICHEL TO REVIVE VIBRANT COOPERATION

June 19 2011 -- The President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Mr Jakaya Kikwete,  has called for closer cooperation in tourism, fisheries, transport, trade and agriculture between his country and Seychelles.

The Tanzanian leader was the guest of honour at Seychelles’ June 18 National Day. He was accompanied to Seychelles by his wife Salma and his 11-year-old son Rashid.

He was met on arrival at the international airport for the one-day trip by President James A Michel. He later got a rousing welcome from the crowd  at Stad Linite, the stadium where the National Day parade took place.

President Kikwete said Tanzania and Seychelles have a long history of cooperation which started by former President Albert Rene and the late Tanzanian leader Julius Nyerere.

“President Michel and I agreed to revive the kind of vibrant cooperation we used to have at bilateral level,” President Kikwete said after holding talks with President Michel at State House.

He suggested that with better organization Seychelles can, for example, import some of its foods directly from Tanzania.

He also said Tanzania is exploring the possibility of being part of a cargo fishing venture Seychelles is developing. The possibility of Air Tanzania flying to Seychelles also came up.

There is also the issue of cooperation in combating piracy in the part of the Indian Ocean shared by the two countries.

The former lieutenant colonel spent some time in Seychelles in 1983.

President Michel, welcoming President Kikwete to Seychelles, said: “Your visit offers an opportunity to re-launch a dynamic relationship based on our shared history and our mutual understanding as neighbouring states.”

The Seychellois leader spoke of improving mutual security.

“Our militaries can work very effectively together. Piracy is the new threat that is challenging all of us. We must work together to ensure that more African states have the resources to patrol their own waters, and not rely only on external partners,” said President Michel.