Ms Junker calling on President Rene on Tuesday,  at State House

Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Karin Junker met President France Albert Rene and Vice-President James Michel on Tuesday April 13, with closer Euro-Seychelles ties as the main topic for discussion.

Speaking to the press after her State House meetings, German socialist MEP and Vice- President of the ACP (African, Caribbean, Pacific)-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly, Ms Junker said that she hoped links between the European Union and Seychelles could be strengthened, though was unable to commit to any definite action.

Ms Junker said that relations between Seychelles and the European umbrella organisation had not been helped by the fact that the nearest permanent EU office was in Mauritius and said that she would ask the ACP-EU to look into this situation.

She also said that she believed the EU could help Seychelles through its economic difficulties, but again said that this was a matter for discussion by the ACP-EU.

Under the 2000 Cotonou agreement Seychelles currently enjoys preferential access to European markets, a situation due to end in 2008, which Ms Junker said that would be discussed further. She added, however, that the EU would likely wait for its 10 new member states to join later this year before reaching any decisions.

With regard to the presidential hand over Wednesday, Ms Junker described it as a very important moment for Seychelles.

"There are young people in the country today who have never even known another President, so it is a very big change for Seychelles," she said.

Ms Junker is on a visit to Seychelles at the invitation of Member of the National Assembly Barry Faure.

MNA Faure is Seychelles' representative to the ACP-EU and explained that Ms Junker and several other MEPs had been invited to Seychelles following the raising of human rights questions regarding Seychelles in the European Parliament.

MNA Faure said that, "European politics do not tend to give a great deal of attention to countries like Seychelles. Though we have reached a certain level of development we still need the support of important partners like the European Union."

He added that, "We need to improve communications with the wider world, so they can come and see the situation in Seychelles for themselves."

Ms Junker's visit began on April 9 and will include attendance of Wednesday's swearing in ceremony.

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