(Seychelles News Agency) - The Seychelles President James Michel will be heading to Paris on a short working visit next week, at the invitation of his French counterpart Francois Hollande, State House has announced in a press statement issued this morning.

During the visit Michel will hold discussions with Hollande, a meeting which comes just months after they met in the Comoros, together with other regional leaders, during the 4^th Summit of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).

“This visit……is an opportunity for Seychelles and France to strengthen their relations in the fields of Blue Economy, the fight against climate change, tourism, new energy and maritime security,” reads the statement.

“The President will meet with French investors interested in the opportunities in the Seychelles in the areas of Blue Economy, tourism and new energy.”

Michel is also expected to meet with leaders of the French Business Confederation (Mouvement des Entreprises de France) and the French Agency for Development (Agence française de développement).

The Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean Paul Adam and the Diplomatic Advisor to the President Callixte D’Offay will accompany the Seychellois Head of State.

Michel’s last official visit to Paris was in October 2007.