Foreign relations of Seychelles

Seychelles follows a policy of what it describes as "positive" nonalignment and strongly supports the principle of reduced superpower presence in the Indian Ocean. The Seychelles government is one of the proponents of the Indian Ocean zone of peace concept and it has promoted an end to the United States presence on Diego Garcia. The country has adopted a pragmatic policy, however, and serves as an important rest and recreation stop for US ships serving in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean. Seychelles' foreign policy position has placed it generally toward the left of the spectrum within the Non-Aligned Movement. Russia, the United Kingdom, France, India, the People's Republic of China, Libya and Cuba maintain embassies in Victoria.

The government of the Seychelles withdrew diplomatic recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic on March 17, 2008, according to an official government source.[1]

Bilateral relations

Country	Formal Relations Began	Notes
Armenia	19 April 2006	Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on April 19, 2006.[2]
Azerbaijan	2 November 1994[3]	Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on November 2, 1994.[3]
Belize	11 September 1991	Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 September 1991.[4]
Brazil	1986	Brazil is accredited to Seychelles from its embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Seychelles is accredited to Brazil from its embassy in Havana, Cuba.
Canada		Canada is accredited to the Seychelles from its high commission in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Seychelles is accredited to Canada from its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City.
China		See China–Seychelles relations China has an embassy in Victoria. Seychelles has an embassy in Beijing and a consulate-general in Shanghai.
Croatia	30 September 1997	Both countries established diplomatic relations on September 30, 1997.[5][6]
Cuba		Cuba has an embassy in Victoria. Seychelles has an embassy in Havana.
Cyprus		Both countries a members of the Commonwealth of Nations List of bilateral agreements.[7] Cyprus is represented in Seychelles through its embassy in Muscat, Oman.[8] Seychelles is represented in Cyprus through its High Commission in London, United Kingdom.[9] Two countries are a member of La Francophonie.
Ethiopia		Ethiopia is accredited to the Seychelles from its embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. Seychelles has an embassy in Addis Ababa.
France		Embassy of Seychelles in Paris France has an embassy in Victoria. Seychelles has an embassy in Paris. Seychelles claimed the French-owned Glorioso Islands in the Indian Ocean before the France–Seychelles Maritime Boundary Agreement. Both countries are members of La Francophonie.
Georgia	15 March 2013	Both countries established diplomatic relations on March 15, 2013.[10][11]
Greece		Greece is accredited to Seychelles from its embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.[12] Seychelles is accredited to Greece from its embassy in Paris, France.[12]
Guyana	28 April 1993	Both countries established diplomatic relations on April 28, 1993.[13] Both countries are full members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Seychelles is accredited to Guyana from its embassy in Havana, Cuba.
India		See India–Seychelles relations In an effort to reduce the increasing piracy in the nearby region, Seychelles requested the Indian Navy to carry out anti-piracy operations in her waters.[14] This made India-Seychelles relations stronger. The Seychelles also praised the Indian Navy for their anti-piracy operations.[14] India has a High Commission in Victoria.[15] Seychelles maintains a High Commission in New Delhi.[16]
Kenya		Seychelles is accredited to Kenya from its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Malaysia		See Malaysia–Seychelles relations Malaysia is accredited to Seychelles from its embassy in Harare, Zimbabwe. Seychelles has a high commission in Kuala Lumpur.
Madagascar		Madagascar is accredited to Seychelles from its embassy in Port Louis, Mauritius.
Mauritius		Mauritius has an honorary consulate in Victoria. Seychelles has an honorary consulate in Port Louis. Both are the members of Commonwealth of Nations and La Francophonie.
Mexico	1986	Mexico is accredited to the Seychelles from its embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.[17] Seychelles is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Havana, Cuba.
North Korea	28 June 1976	See North Korea–Seychelles relations Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between the North Korea and the Republic of Seychelles is June 28, 1976. From 1980, DPR Korea and Seychelles have a good relations in military.
Romania	25 June 1974	Both countries established diplomatic relations on June 25, 1974.[18]
Russia	30 June 1976	See Russia–Seychelles relations Diplomatic relations between Seychelles and the Soviet Union were established on 30 June 1976, a day after the island nation gained its independence from the United Kingdom.[19] Russia has an embassy in Victoria.[20] Seychelles is accredited to Russia from its embassy in Paris, France and maintains an honorary consulate in Saint Petersburg.
Serbia	1977	Both countries have established diplomatic relations in 1977.[21] A number of bilateral agreements have been concluded and are in force between both countries.[22]
South Africa		Seychelles has a high commission in Pretoria. South Africa is accredited to Seychelles from its high commission in Port Louis, Mauritius.
South Korea	28 June 1976	Both countries established diplomatic relations on June 28, 1976.[23]
Spain		See Seychelles–Spain relations Seychelles is accredited to Spain from its embassy in Paris, France. Spain is accredited to Seychelles from its embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Switzerland		Both countries established diplomatic relations in the 1980s.[24] Both countries are full members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie. Seychelles is accredited to Switzerland from its embassy in Paris, France. Switzerland is accredited to Seychelles from its embassy in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
Turkey	1995[25]	Embassy of Seychelles in Paris is accredited to Turkey.[25] The Turkish Embassy in Nairobi is accredited to Seychelles.[25] Trade volume between the two countries was US$25.4 million in 2019 (Turkish exports/imports: 17.7/7.7 million USD).[25]
United Arab Emirates		Seychelles has an embassy in Abu Dhabi. UAE has an embassy in Victoria.
United Kingdom	1976	The Seychelles became a crown colony separate from Mauritius in 1903 and independence was granted in 1976, as a republic within the Commonwealth. Seychelles has a high commission in London. United Kingdom has a high commission in Victoria.
United States		See Seychelles–United States relations Peace Corps Volunteers served in Seychelles between 1974 and 1995. A U.S. consulate was opened in May 1976 and became an embassy after Seychelles' independence in June 1976. The Embassy was subsequently closed in August 1996, and the United States opened a consular agency on September 2, 1996 to provide services to residents of Seychelles. The agency is under the supervision of the American Embassy in Port Louis, Mauritius. The U.S. Ambassador to Mauritius also is accredited to Seychelles. Seychelles cooperates with the United States in many areas of security and previously allowed the basing of non-armed drones in its territory.  This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Department of State website https://www.state.gov/countries-areas/. (U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets)[26] Seychelles is accredited to the United States from its Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York City. United States is accredited to the Seychelles from its embassy in Port Louis, Mauritius.
Vietnam		President James Alix Michel's official visited to Vietnam in August, 2013. The statement says this is an official visit to Vietnam made by a high-ranking leader of Seychelles.[27] Both countries are members of La Francophonie.

The Seychelles and the Commonwealth of Nations

The Seychelles is a member state of the Commonwealth of Nations.

See also

• List of diplomatic missions in Seychelles
• List of diplomatic missions of Seychelles

References

1. "Seychelles withdraws recognition for SADR". Panapress. Afrik.com. 2008-03-18. Archived from the original on 2008-04-21. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
2. "Ministry of foreign Affairs of Armenia". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
3. "Seychelles". mfa.gov.az. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
4. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-12-30. Retrieved 2017-03-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
5. "MVEP • Date of Recognition and Establishment of Diplomatic Relations". www.mvep.hr. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
6. "MVEP • Overview of Bilateral Treaties of the Republic of Croatia by Country". www.mvep.hr. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
7. "Ministry of foreign Affairs of Cyprus" (PDF) (in Greek). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
8. "Ministry of foreign Affairs of Cyprus". Archived from the original on 2015-09-29. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
9. "Ministry of foreign Affairs of Cyprus". Archived from the original on 2009-08-08. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
10. "Seychelles Establishes Diplomatic Relations with Georgia". www.mfa.gov.sc. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
11. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2017-02-27. Retrieved 2017-02-26.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
12. "Greece's Bilateral Relations". www.mfa.gr. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
14. Pubby, Manu (20 April 2009). "Navy responds to SOS from Seychelles". Indian Express. New Dehli, India. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
15. "High Commission of India, Seychelles". Retrieved 28 December 2012.
16. "Seychelles Diplomatic Missions and Representation Abroad - Diplomatic Directory - Department of Foreign Affairs - The Republic of Seychelles". www.mfa.gov.sc. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
17. "Embassy of Mexico in Kenya". Embamex.sre.gob.mx. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
18. "Diplomatic Relations of Romania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs". www.mae.ro. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
19. Ginsburgs, George (1987). "1976". A calendar of Soviet treaties, 1974-1980. BRILL. p. 163. ISBN 90-247-3628-5. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
20. Посольство в Виктории (in Russian). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
21. "Seychelles". www.mfa.gov.rs. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
22. http://www.mfa.gov.rs/en/images/stories/bilaterala_ugovori/SEYCHELLES.doc
23. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-09-04. Retrieved 2015-06-28.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
25. "Relations between Turkey and Seychelles".
26. "Seychelles". State.gov. 2018-08-07. Retrieved 2018-12-29.
27. . ONLINE NEWSPAPER OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM http://news.gov.vn/Home/VN-Seychelles-issue-joint-statement/20138/18764.vgp. Retrieved 2013-08-30. Missing or empty |title= (help)