French Ambassador Bids Emotional Farewell to President Ramkalawan at State House
VICTORIA, Seychelles — The French Ambassador to Seychelles, Olivia Berkeley-Christmann, paid farewell respects to President Wavel Ramkalawan at State House yesterday, marking the end of her three-year tenure. Speaking with much emotion, the ambassador reflected on Franco-Seychellois cooperation and her personal memories, describing her three years as ‘unforgettable and above all intense’.
Several key areas were at the heart of this partnership: maritime security — a ‘subject of shared interest’ particularly important to both nations — and climate, environment and the blue economy, themes ‘at the heart’ of the relationship of trust between France and Seychelles. Ambassador Berkeley-Christmann expressed her wish that ongoing projects ‘may see the light of day in the coming months, the coming years. We have a very motivated team and the staff are truly motivated and committed.’
She also highlighted the importance of La Francophonie, noting the Ecole Française des Seychelles, the Alliance Française and university exchanges. A flagship project is the creation of a Master Trilangues, soon to be launched to consolidate this cooperation. On regional cooperation, the ambassador mentioned the issue of connectivity in the Indian Ocean, noting that the cessation of Austral flights ‘certainly makes exchanges between the islands more complicated, but it is one of the obstacles that is not insurmountable’. She concluded with a vibrant ‘long life to all these projects, long live Seychelles, long live France, and long live Franco-Seychellois friendship.’
