Photo: A.Savin via Wikimedia Commons, FAL
VICTORIA, Seychelles, Seychelles and Russia are marking fifty years of diplomatic relations with a renewed partnership that includes the planned opening of a Seychelles embassy in Moscow, the resumption of direct Aeroflot services, and growing cooperation across tourism, education, and maritime security, Foreign Affairs Minister Barry Faure said on Saturday.
Speaking at a reception hosted by the Russian Embassy at the Savoy Seychelles Resort and Spa in Beau Vallon, Faure reviewed five decades of ties that began on 30 June 1976 and now span tourism, culture, defence, and investment, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora. The reception coincided with Russia’s National Day, observed on 12 June, and the anniversary of formal relations between the two countries.
President Patrick Herminie attended the event alongside First Lady Veronique Herminie, Vice-President Sebastien Pillay, Speaker of the National Assembly Azarel Ernesta, members of the National Assembly, the Court of Appeal President Anthony Fernando, members of the diplomatic corps, and other senior officials. Russian Ambassador Artyom Kozhin led the host delegation.
In remarks at the reception, Kozhin emphasised Russia’s commitment to strengthening ties with African partners, noting that relations with Seychelles had been particularly dynamic since President Herminie’s meeting with President Vladimir Putin in April. The two leaders held talks that set the tone for the year of the anniversary and produced several follow-up agreements, according to the Kremlin’s account of the meeting.
Reviewing achievements over the past five decades, the ambassador highlighted tourism, culture, maritime security, education, and investment as the strongest pillars of cooperation. Some 37,000 Russian tourists visited Seychelles in 2025, supported by direct air links operated by Aeroflot between Moscow and Victoria. Ambassador Kozhin noted that while the Russian flag carrier had previously suspended summer operations, flights would resume in early July this year, with hopes of year-round service by 2027.
Cultural exchange featured prominently in the cooperation review. Biennale exchanges, participation in World Artistic Dance competitions, and the launch of the first Russian Film Week in Seychelles in November 2025 have all strengthened people-to-people ties, with agreements signed by Minister Amanda Bernstein in Moscow marking a further cultural breakthrough. In sport, Seychellois boxers have competed in Russia, Russian beach rugby teams have joined tournaments in Seychelles, and a memorandum of understanding signed by Minister Kalsey Belle at the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum aims to deepen bilateral sports cooperation.
Education remains an active strand of the relationship, with Russia continuing to offer scholarships to Seychellois students and signalling readiness to expand opportunities. On maritime security, collaboration through the Contact Group on Illicit Maritime Activities has been instrumental in combating piracy, drug trafficking, and other threats to sea trade routes in the Western Indian Ocean.
Russian investors, the ambassador noted, have long contributed to Seychelles’ development, creating jobs and advancing economic cooperation. Looking ahead, Faure said the establishment of a Seychelles embassy in Moscow would mark a new chapter in bilateral relations, guided by mutual respect, shared interests, and a common desire to see both peoples prosper.
The reception ended with a toast to President Putin, the Russian people, and the enduring friendship between the two nations. Faure’s closing words, “S Dnyom Ras-see-ee,” mark Happy Russia Day in Russian, framing the anniversary as both a celebration of the past and a launchpad for the next half-century of relations.
Source: SN
Sources cited: Kremlin.ru (President Putin meeting readout, April 2026); Russian Foreign Ministry statement on Ambassador Kozhin’s reception (June 2026); Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora (Barry Faure, reception remarks); Afrinz.ru interview with Ambassador Kozhin (April 2026); Mintrans.gov.ru (Russia-Seychelles aviation cooperation).
