The third Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Seychelles, Mr. Harald Günther, presented his credentials to President James Michel at State House this morning.

After the accreditation ceremony Ambassador Günther told the national media that Seychelles and Austria have a longstanding good relationship and that his discussions with the President centred on different avenues of cooperation to further consolidate the bilateral relations such as in the field of tourism, air services, and renewable energy among other issues. He added that they also talked lengthily on the issues of common interest for example the concerns of the Small Island Developing States which are vulnerable to climate change and the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) ministerial meeting on Climate Change currently being held in Seychelles.

“I think my priority during my mandate is to find ways were investment can take place from both sides; Seychelles and Austria. Especially in the field of tourism and renewable energy. That will be my aim for the next four years and if we can enhance our relations, so that we can both succeeded,” said Mr. Günther.

Also present during the meeting were the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean-Paul Adam, the President's Diplomatic Adviser, Ambassador Callixte D'Offay and Honorary Consul for Austria in Seychelles, Mrs. Petra Reiser.

Ambassador Harald Günther is based in Nairobi, Kenya.