Mr Dezcallar de Mazarredo (right) with President Rene at State House

A 20-strong delegation from Spain is due in the country this week to mark the 20th anniversary of the first fishing agreement signed between Seychelles and Spain.

This was announced by the newly accredited Spanish ambassador to Seychelles, Mr Rafael Dezcallar de Mazarredo when he was speaking to the press on Tuesday October 21, after presenting his credentials to President France Albert Rene at State House.

Mr Mazarredo, who is the ninth ambassador to Seychelles, also paid a courtesy call on the Vice-President James Michel.

All members of the delegation, comprising mainly owners of Spanish vessels fishing within our exclusive economic zone and officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries are expected to have arrived in the country by Wednesday.

The delegation will be led by the Spanish director general for Marine Fisheries, Mrs Carmen Fraga Estevez, who will also be representing her country's minister responsible for fisheries.

The officials will pay a courtesy call on the Minister for Agriculture and Marine Resources, Mr William Herminie, and visit the Victoria fishing port.

The ministry, in collaboration with Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA), will host a cocktail and dinner for the delegates at the Ste Anne Resort and they will also get the chance to enjoy the beauty of our islands through other activities like excursions.

The Spanish delegation will leave Seychelles on Saturday October 25.

The first Seychelles-Spain fishing agreement was signed on October  28, 1983 by the late Mrs Daniel de St Jorre, who was then the principal secretary for Planning and Foreign Relations, and His Excellency Mr Angel Fernandez-Mazarambroz, who is presently the Spanish ambassador for South Africa.

Besides fishing, tourism is another area in which the two countries could co-operate in the near future, Mr Mazarredo told the press.

He noted that since the establishment of diplomatic ties in June 1976, Seychelles and Spain have always enjoyed very good relations.

Mr Mazarredo will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

LINKS