The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Austria, H.E. Dr. Christian Fellner, paid a farewell call on the President of the Republic, Dr. Patrick Herminie, at State House this morning, as he concludes his eight-year tenure as Ambassador to the Republic of Seychelles.

President Herminie expressed his appreciation for Ambassador Fellner’s dedicated service and his contribution to advancing cooperation between Seychelles and Austria during his tenure. The President also conveyed his best wishes for the Ambassador’s future endeavours.

The President also expressed appreciation for the ongoing collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in support of the implementation of a national project entitled “Supporting the National Drugs Survey and Development of the New Drug Control Master Plan for Seychelles.” The President noted that this survey comes at a critical time, as Seychelles is currently facing serious challenges related to substance abuse.

He highlighted that the nature of drug use has evolved over the years, with current concerns extending beyond heroin to include substances such as crystal methamphetamine, ecstasy, cocaine, and other hard drugs.

The discussions furtheremphasizethe need for more professional psychologists in Seychelles, given the rising concerns around substance abuse and mental health.Discussions also underscored the importance of strengthening mental health services and increasing the availability of qualified psychologists and other specialised professionals to support national efforts in addressing substance abuse and related social challenges.

On his part, the Ambassador noted that, when compared to two decades ago and to other countries in the region, Seychelles has developed significantly well. He added that Austria and Seychelles are aligned in many key areas of mutual interest and can further strengthen cooperation. Highlighting the importance of tourism, the Ambassador noted that tourism remains vital for Seychelles and emphasized that Austria has some of the best training institutions in this field.

In concluding his remarks, Ambassador Dr. Christian Fellner thanked the President, the Government, and the people of Seychelles for the strong cooperation, friendship and support extended throughout his years of service. Finally commenting on the work of the current administration, noting that he had been particularly impressed by its effectiveness and focus on achieving national objectives.