Seychelles President hails UAE ties

President of the Seychelles James Alix Michael, said the UAE under leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has been experiencing massive unprecedented development in the Arab region.  He told Emirates News Agency (WAM) in an exclusive interview that the UAE's 40th national day anniversary celebrations "demonstrates that the UAE has become strong politically, economically, socially and stable. It looks forward to the future with optimism."  President Michael attributed the success attained by UAE to the founder of the UAE late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who united the autonomous emirates into one Union. He added that Sheikh Zayed did not stop there, but continued to unite the Arab Gulf in the framework of the Gulf Cooperation Council for Arab States (GCC), which held its first summit in Abu Dhabi in 1981.  He reiterated that the GCC was created due to the efforts of the late Sheikh Zayed and other GCC leaders to become one of the most important political and economical blocs in the world.  President Michael also said that Sheikh Khalifa followed the footsteps of the late Sheikh Zayed to empower the UAE in the areas of education, culture, arts and openness to the world. "The UAE today is an oasis of  security, peace and stability. The UAE works for welfare of its citizens and residents alike, and plays a pivotal role in the world as it provides the world with energy, and opens markets to all." After four decades of union, he continued, the UAE has become a role model for countries which seek to emulate its experience, citing that the UAE under President Khalifa is waging the best comprehensive development in the region.  President Michael referred to the UAE's role in the relief and assistance of developing countries, as well as participation in the peace keeping missions in conjunction with United Nations and NATO.  "This active diplomatic and developmental role of the UAE has made it a pivotal state in the region and the world as well."  He lauded the support of the UAE President and keenness of His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, to UAE-Seychelles relations in all fields. "We are looking forward to emulating the UAE's developmental experience in all fields. The UAE is one of the fastest growing countries in the world in the areas of infrastructure, urban development, tourism, trade, economy and  investment".  On the opening of Embassy of the Seychelles in Abu Dhabi, he said that the opening of the Embassy in Abu Dhabi heralds the new era of the bilateral relations between the two friendly countries, citing the importance of the Seychelles presence in the region to build relations with the GCC countries on the new basis of the economic and political cooperation. He added: "This is the first Seychelles' Embassy in the Gulf and Arab region," expecting that the opening of the Embassy will contribute to strengthening of ties between the peoples of UAE and Seychelles, and provide business access to businesspersons in the UAE and GCC. About the advantages granted by the Seychelles to the UAE and Gulf investors, President Michael said: "We have strong opportunities for investment in the areas of tourism, fisheries and energy, and we have  laws to protect the foreign investments." He added that the UAE  investments in the Seychelles are important and strategic, citing that the Seychelles is waiting to sign more bilateral agreements to set up joint projects. He noted that a business forum for the private sector in both countries will be held in Abu Dhabi in 2012.  He thanked the UAE for supporting development projects in the Seychelles, of which the last was the launch of Headquarters of the Border Guards and the Military Naval Base in the Seychelles. The President of Seychelles also thanked Etihad Airways, a UAE national  carrier, for launching a direct air route from Abu Dhabi to Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles. He also commended the inauguration of a power plant with capacity of 16MW at a cost of Dhs 54 million, including maintenance and training.