(Seychelles News Agency) - Two African small island states are set to strengthen ties, as the President of Cabo Verde Jorge Carlos de Almeida Fonseca arrived in the Seychelles today on state visit.

Michel was at the archipelago’s International Airport at Pointe Larue, to welcome Fonseca and his 15 member delegation who disembarked on an Emirates airline flight minutes before 07.00am local time.

The welcome party included the Vice-President Danny Faure, the Speaker of the National Assembly Dr Patrick Herminie, cabinet ministers, and members of judiciary and diplomatic corps.

The first visit of a Cabo Verdean head of state to the Seychelles was broadcast live on the national television, the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation, with a national guard of honour saluting the arrival party, together with national anthems of Cabo Verde and Seychelles, played by the National Brass Band.

Fonseca will be the guest of honour at the Seychelles National Day celebrations on Wednesday June 18th which is a public holiday on the islands.

In a press statement issued this morning, the Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Fonseca’s visit is aimed at strengthening ties between the two African island nations.

“The visit of President Fonseca forms part of the determination of both the Republic of Seychelles and the Republic of Cabo Verde …two island nations with Creole ties ....to combine their efforts to further promote friendship, solidarity and mutual respect between two islands in particular, and between Small Island Developing States in general, and also in light of the International Year of Small Island Developing states to build on the necessary mechanisms that will help to create the right conditions that will lead to a viable, exemplary and mutually beneficial partnership, "said Michel in the MFA statement.

This afternoon will see formal discussions between the two presidents at State House in the capital of Victoria, which will be followed by bilateral talks between the delegations of the two sides.

The discussions will culminate with the signing of several agreements this evening.

Speaking minutes before the arrival of Fonseca this morning to SBC journalist at the airport the Seychelles Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Maurice Loustau Lalanne said the two countries had much to learn from each other.

He said that 6 agreements will be signed during the visit including in the field of politics, economic as well as an air service agreement. Tourism is also a sector that will be discussed at length.

Lalanne also highlighted Seychelles intention to gain Cabo Verde’s support on the international arena for example in its bid to secure chairmanship of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS).

President Fonseca and his delegation will leave Seychelles on Friday.

Cabo Verde is an island nation of around 500,000 people off the West coast of Africa in the Atlantic Ocean. The islands were colonized by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century, and have a colonial history similar to Seychelles . Cabo Verde became independent in 1975.