Peaceful Seychelles influences Malagasy Leadership talks

The Seychelles government has been praised as the hosts of the recently-concluded Malagasy Leadership talks by South African Special Envoy to Madagascar, Deputy Minister for International Relations and Cooperation, Marius Fransman.

In a joint press conference held at the Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Seychelles Foreign Minister Jean-Paul Adam and South Africa Deputy Minister Fransman following the departure of political leaders Andry Rajoelina and Marc Ravalomanana, Minister Fransman described the Desroches Island Resort as the perfect location for this meeting:

“If you are locked out for three days without cell phone service, if you have the stars above and the beauty of the wilderness and the sea around you, then clearly you must soften your heart… that really contributed to the spirit of the discussions.

“We had the two Presidents in one room, and we had them tete-a-tete alone, which has never happened in three years since this crisis began, so the fact that they were together in one environment together, tells you something. It was the right venue.”

Adding that the seclusion and privacy of the island was the ideal venue for such a historic meeting, Minister Fransman said there was no question as to whether or not progress had been made, saying that both leaders, who remained cordial throughout, said they were committed to putting the interest of Madagascar ahead of their personal interests.

Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, who formed of President James Michel’s delegation to welcome President Jacob Zuma of South Africa on his arrival in Seychelles, said he was thrilled that the high-level delegates at this Malagasy Leadership talks found time to appreciate the spectacular setting offered by Seychelles for such talks.

“The words echoed about the beauty of Seychelles by Minister Fransman of South Africa is what many other delegates also said. The natural beauty of Seychelles and the diversity we offer are just some of our unique selling points. This high level Malagasy Leadership talk could not have chosen a better and a more idyllic location than our ‘one island – one hotel’ complex like our Desroches island in Seychelles,” Minister St.Ange from the Seychelles said.