(Seychelles News Agency) - Australia is willing to partner with Seychelles in driving forward the concept of the Blue Economy, announcement made by the new Australian High Commissioner to Seychelles, Susan Coles, in a press interview today.

“With its main focus on conserving the oceans, promoting sustainable fishing and aquaculture and sharing the oceans’ resources, Australia, with its first-class research institutions and universities, is ideally placed to help the Seychelles become the leading island state in the Blue Economy drive," said Coles.

Susan Coles who is based in Mauritius, spoke to members of the press after she presented her credentials to Seychelles President James Michel at State House.

The diplomat also talked about the shared interest of Australia and Seychelles in the Indian Ocean Rim Association, which Australia is heading for the next two years.

“We took the presidency November 2013 at a meeting hosted in Perth where our Foreign Minister, Mrs. Julie Bishop, expressed great enthusiasm for efforts and engagement in the Indian Ocean region and, as part of that, she expressed interest in the possibility of coming to visit all the Indian Ocean Rim Association countries, including Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar and the Comores," said Coles.

She added that strong people-to-people ties exist between the two countries. She mentioned as examples the strong Seychellois population living in Australia and the number of Seychellois students who have completed their University studies in Australia, particularly through the prestigious “Australia Awards” AUSAID scholarship programme.

Seychelles and Australia established diplomatic ties in June 1976.

The Seychelles Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates that up to 30,000 people of Seychellois origin are living in Australia, with up to four generations of emigrant families.