(Seychelles News Agency) - Seychelles and Kenya have taken steps to build a closer relationship with the signing of a memorandum of understanding on consultations between the two countries’ foreign affairs ministries, according to a statement issued today by the Seychelles’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

MFA says the signing took place as part of the official visit of Jean Paul Adam, Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs in Kenya from March 17 to March 19 at the invitation of his Kenya counterpart, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Kenya, Amina Mohamed.

“This agreement will provide a renewed platform for our two Ministries to engage even further towards the conduct of more vivacious, vigorous and vibrant undertakings towards the betterment of our peoples, governments and the wider region,” said Adam.

He added that even though the neighbouring countries had long enjoyed excellent relations, they were determined to redefine their partnership to reach new heights.

“We need to break away from structural constraints to intra-African development, growth and trade towards new real partnerships of mutual benefit, for example, in redefining the way in which we trade together by strengthening our connectivity by air and by sea,” said Minister Adam.

The statement from the MFA states that many areas of mutual interest were identified to boost existing bilateral cooperation; including, trade, joint tourism marketing, maritime security and the fight against piracy, the blue economy and other exchanges in various areas.

Tourism was identified by both delegations as a major potential factor for cooperation, since Seychelles and Kenya already have well-developed tourism industries.

Addressing the issue of regional conflicts, the two Ministers expressed appreciation for each other’s’ input towards the restoration of peace and security in key countries of the region such as Somalia, South Sudan, and Madagascar.