The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, has congratulated Seychelles for its very high level of human development as well as its achievements in environmental conservation, which she said should be an example for other countries and are "an inspiration to all." Dr. Dlamini-Zuma made the comments at a meeting with President James Michel at State House this afternoon, at the start of her 3-day official visit.

President Michel welcomed Dr Dlamini-Zuma and thanked her for the support that she has expressed to the island states of Africa, with a great understanding of the specificities and complexities of those states.

" We appreciate your efforts to sensitize the African  continent to the needs of the small islands states of Africa, as well as the role that coastal states can play in developing the blue economy of the continent... I would also like to congratulate you on the new dimension, dynamism and efficiency you have introduced to the African Union, and I am confident that you will take the Union to new heights," said President Michel.

 The Chairperson of the African Union Commission added that the 'Seychelles success story' needed to be shared with other members of the African Union, where exchanges of best practices could aid the development of much bigger nations.

 " I am pleased to see that Seychelles has an active diplomacy within the African Union and we appreciate your active advocacy and contribution to the discussions," said Dr Dlamini-Zuma.

The President and the Chairperson discussed the recent African Union Summit which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity (later African Union), as well as the Tokyo International Conference for African Development in Yokohama, which both had attended. 

President Michel also thanked the African Union for the financial support it has pledged towards the National Disaster Relief Fund, in relation to the flooding disaster Seychelles experienced in January this year.

Editor's Note

•Present at the meeting was the Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam and the President's Diplomatic Advisor, Ambassador Callixte d'Offay

•Dr. Dlamini-Zuma arrived in Seychelles this morning, and was met by Vice President Danny Faure and a greeting party that included Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam, Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St Ange, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Barry Faure, the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, and the Seychelles Permanent Representative to the African Union Ambassador Joseph Nourrice.