WAM Abu Dhabi; UAE, Nov 24th, 2011 (WAM) -- President of the Republic of Seychelles James Alix Michel hailed the keenness of His Highness President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the attention of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces for bolstering bilateral relations between UAE and Seychelles.

Opening the embassy of Seychelles in the UAE capital, Michel said that the UAE continues to support the efforts of his country for the development of infrastructure and programmes of economic reform as well as for improving the living conditions of the people through the creation of new housing units, building of desalination and power generation plants and construction of roads and bridges.

He also praised UAE's tremendous progress and development in the fields of economy and tourism.

Michel opened the Seychelles embassy and Tourism bureau in Abu Dhabi in the presence of Seychelles Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam, Assistant to UAE Foreign Minister for Economic Affairs Khalid Ghanem Al-Ghaith and a number of officials from both country's.

Speaking on the occasion, Khalid Al Ghaith underlined the importance of the opening of the Embassy of Seychelles in Abu Dhabi for promoting relations between the two countries and enhancing political and economic cooperation as well as boosting investment, trade and tourism.

He stressed that the two countries are determined to develop bilateral relationship in various fields.

Seychelles Foreign Minister said that the opening of the embassy is a powerful evidence of shared values between the two countries.

He pointed out that the Embassy of Seychelles in the UAE is the only one in the Gulf region and the first ever in an Arab country.

WAM/AB