(Seychelles News Agency) - Seychelles and Mauritius should work together to develop their respective fishing industries, the foreign minister of Mauritius said.

Vishnu Lutchmeenaraidu on Thursday met with Seychelles’ President Danny Faure at State House in Victoria, the capital, as part of his mission to discuss common projects.

The projects focus mainly on the fisheries sector but also include the development of renewable energy sources, especially as Mauritius and Seychelles are part of the Indian Ocean Commission.

“I have come here because I believe in this region. I have been coming to Seychelles for so long, and I have seen times when both our countries were very poor, unemployment very high,” said Lutchmeenaraidu.

Vishnu Lutchmeenaraidu said Seychelles and Mauritius can and should work together for the benefit of both our countries (Jude Morel, Seychelles News Agency) Photo License: CC-BY

He added that, “Coming back in 2017, I am very impressed with the progress,”

During the meeting, Faure reaffirmed Seychelles’ commitments in consolidating the already existing relations between the two countries. 

“Mauritius is a leading example in sound economic policies which were initiated many years ago and also from the leadership of former Prime Minister. I think we will be able to give a new impetus in terms of other areas of cooperation such as investment and economic policies that Africa can pursue,” said Faure.

Seychelles, a group of 115 islands in the western Indian Ocean, and Mauritius have a longstanding relationship enhanced by the fact that the two countries share the same ocean as well as the same language.

“Seychelles and Mauritius can and should work together for the benefit of both our countries. There was a time when Mauritius and Seychelles were highly competitive, but I believe that we have been able to transcend over this childish attitude,” Lutchmeenaraidu said.

The Mauritian envoy will be in the country until Saturday.