President Faure meets Special Envoy from Indonesia

President Faure meets Special Envoy from Indonesia
President Danny Faure received the Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr N. Hassan Wirajuda, at State House yesterday morning.
Dr Wirajuda is currently on an official visit to seek the support of the government of Seychelles for Indonesia’s candidature as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for 2019-2020 in elections to be held in June 2018.
President Faure welcomed Dr Wirajuda and his delegation to Seychelles and conveyed his best wishes and that of the people of Seychelles to the President of Indonesia, H.E. Joko Widodo.
He highlighted the ongoing solidarity and excellent relations that have existed between the two countries resulting in a strong partnership.
The President also noted his appreciation for the contribution of Indonesia in providing peace and stability to the Indian Ocean.
“We share many common issues, especially on the international arena. For over 60 years, Indonesia has been a partner in Africa. The founders of your country have helped push Africa to where we are today. You contribute towards peace by providing your men in uniform, who have sacrificed their lives and created the type of peace and stability that Africa wants,” said the President in the meeting.
The Head of State and Dr Wirajuda discussed avenues of cooperation in various fields to further cement the diplomatic relations between Seychelles and Indonesia. These include trade and investment, construction and infrastructure, Blue economy, capacity building in technical areas, prevention of drug abuse, and drug rehabilitation among others.
Also present at the meeting at State House was the secretary of state for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Barry Faure, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Seychelles, H.E. Soehardjono Sastromihardo, Minister Counsellor, Maulana Kasetra, and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Indonesia, Harry Tirant.

http://www.nation.sc/article.html?id=257929

Today in Seychelles
1 min ·
Tuesday 6 March 2018
Indonesia-Seychelles bilateral relations
Potential in areas of infrastructure, capacity building, and blue economy
Special envoy to the President of Indonesia Dr. Hassan Wirajuda says that there is “huge potential” in both countries collaborating for upcoming housing projects, developing the Indian Ocean as a bridge of exchange for best practices, and in hosting capacity and technical building.
by S. Marivel
Dr. Wirajuda met President Danny Faure and Vice President Vincent Meriton yesterday at State House to discuss these potential developments.
“We may join a construction project for housing in Seychelles soon,” Dr Wirajuda indicates to the press after his meetings. “We also have trading with each other, but other areas that can be developed other than infrastructure includes what you call Blue Economy areas for fishing and maritime space, and the service industry.”
He notes that there are currently up to 300 Indonesians living in Seychelles.
“There is possibility for capacity building and technical building too… our countries are similar small island states that enjoy political stability and economic growth - up to 5.2 percent for Indonesia at the moment.”
As for the ever present drug crisis, Dr Wirajuda says that Indonesia also suffers the same ills.
“We have just been targeted in drug smuggling last month with 1.6 tones of drugs confiscated – sometimes it is not just about prevention but also convicting properly,” he reveals.
In addition, Indonesia will be up against the Maldives in the election for the non-permanent seat in the Security Council for the 2019-20 term of the UN Security Council (UNSC) this June.
“Through my exchange with your President it seems Seychelles is supporting Indonesia,” he said. “It is a shame that the Maldives is going through political instability at the moment but there is only one seat for Asian countries.”
Defending Indonesia’s standing in the upcoming election he notes that Indonesia has a long history of peace-keeping and assistance globally.
“We have strong traditions of contributing to peace and security in the past globally, with our conservation missions in Cambodia, and our help to the Philippines,” he explains. “Since 1957 we have had peace keeping missions as well with about 300 troops in Congo, others in Darfur, and Lebanon, and now also Haiti – which marks for first time our presence beyond the African continent.”
Indonesia is also inviting Seychelles to their first Indonesia-Africa forum in Mali next year.
Dr Wirajuda will also be visiting the Ministry for Finance and Foreign Affairs Department before his departure from Seychelles tomorrow.
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