President Michel (left) welcoming H.E. de Mazarredo in his office at State House on Tuesday

Spanish Ambassador Raphael Dezcallar de Mazarredo became the first diplomat to call on Seychelles' new President, Mr James Alix Michel on Tuesday April 20, armed with a promise of a louder voice for Seychelles in Europe.

His Excellency Mr de Mazarredo, who was accredited to Seychelles only seven months ago, is being recalled to Madrid by the newly elected government of Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, to take up the post of Secretary General for Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador de Mazarredo said that he would use his new position to, "try as much as possible to improve our relations with Seychelles."

He also said that Spain would use its position as a member of the European Union (EU) to help Seychelles in its dealings with the organisation, saying that, "I am sure that Spanish delegates will help Seychelles to improve and better its relations with the EU."

The ambassador's comments come as Seychelles' preferential access to the European tuna market, under the Cotonou agreement, nears its 2008 end, but H.E. Mr de Mazarredo expressed his confidence that this would not negatively impact on either Seychelles or the large Spanish fleet fishing in Seychelles' waters.

"I think the presence of the Spanish fleet is one of those strange instances where the presence of the (Cotonou) agreement has been exemplary for both sides.....so I am sure that negotiators will find a formula for the fleets to continue to fish under the present regulations. It will continue as it is in the interest of both sides and both sides will endeavour to keep it alive," said H.E. Mr de Mazarredo.

The departing ambassador said that certain aspects of the relationship between Seychelles and Spain still remained to be developed further, as the main focus so far has been on fisheries.

H.E. Mr de Mazarredo said he hoped to bring, "some kind of cultural event from Spain, as a way to be present in the cultural life of Seychelles," within the next few months.

Asked for the Spanish view of the presidential hand over, Ambassador de Mazarredo said, "We think it has been done in a very smooth way, the speech by the President was very constructive and has been very well received and we hope he will succeed in taking the measures which this country requires to improve its economy and solve its problems, which Seychelles, as any other country, has got."

The first diplomat to be received by the new President, Ambassador de Mazarredo described this as, "a sign of the very close relationship existing between our two countries."

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