Kenya, Seychelles ink 10 key agreements to boost bilateral ties

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Seychelles and Kenya on Monday signed 10 agreements to boost bilateral ties.

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta is on a three-day state visit to the archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean.

Kenya’s Foreign Minister Raychelle Omamo and his counterpart from Seychelles Sylvestre Radegonde inked the agreements at State House, Victoria. Kenyatta and Seychelles' President Wavel Ramkalawan also attended the signing ceremony.

Speaking to reporters after the signing ceremony, Kenyatta said he has resolved with his host to cooperate on, among other areas, matters of peace and security, especially on marine security.

“Seychelles is a leading champion of the blue economy. We have, in that regard, agreed to strengthen our collaboration in protecting and ensuring sustainable utilization of our ocean resources,” Kenyatta said.

Ramkalawan, for his part, lauded Kenyatta’s visit to Seychelles, noting that it has reaffirmed the multifaceted relations between Kenya and Seychelles.

According to Kenya's presidency, key among the agreements signed was one on cooperation in the blue economy sector, which seeks to enhance capacity building and exchange of expertise in the governance aspects of the blue economy as well as bolster the circular economy and collaboration in the aquaculture sector.

Also signed was a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for cooperation on peace, security and law enforcement at sea and maritime affairs.

Other bilateral pacts signed, included a defense cooperation agreement, an agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal cases, and MOUs on tourism development, agriculture, livestock and cooperative sectors.

Deals were also signed on cooperation in sports and promotion of partnership on gender equality and women's economic empowerment.​​​​​​​