President Barrack Obama has said this week that Seychelles is an example to the world in its commitment to the democratic process and is one of the United States’ “most steadfast allies” in the fight against piracy in the Indian Ocean. The President was speaking at the White House on Thursday, September 19, at the presentation of credentials by Mrs. Marie-Louise Potter as Seychelles’ new Resident Ambassador to the United States.
In presenting her credentials to President Obama, Ambassador Potter thanked the President for the various assistance that Seychelles is receiving from the US, particularly in the fight against piracy. She once again expressed Seychelles’ condolences to the President over the recent death of the US Ambassador and other embassy personnel in Libya and expressed Seychelles’ strong desire to build on the already strong relationship between the two countries and advance their common interests.
“Your country serves as an example to others both in Africa and across the world,” said President Obama, “We view the Seychelles as one of our most steadfast allies in the search for practical and effective ways to counter piracy in the Indian Ocean, and your commitment to fighting terrorism is a strong example of how a small nation can make a big impact on a global problem.”
The US President also said that Seychelles and the United States “enjoy a strong relationship and mutual commitment” to some of the most important issues of the day like democracy, human rights, economic liberalization, and security.
Ambassador Potter’s accreditation to Washington follows her presentation of credentials to UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon as Seychelles’ new Permanent Representative to the UN earlier this month.
Seychelles is a founding member of the International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP).
