President Patrick Herminie has arrived at Roland Garros Airport in La Réunion aboard Air Seychelles, on a three-day visit at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, where he will be the guest of honour for France’s National Day (Bastille Day) celebrations.

The President, accompanied by First Lady Mrs Veronique Herminie, was received with a ceremonial welcome by the Prefect of La Réunion, Patrice Latron, followed by an inspection of the Guard of Honour.

President Herminie is leading a high-level Seychellois delegation comprising Minister for Finance, Economic Planning, Trade and Investment Mr Pierre Laporte; Minister for Environment, Climate, Energy and Natural Resources Ms Marie-May Jeremie; Minister for Homeland Security and Civil Affairs James Camille; Minister for Youth and Sports Ms Kalsey Belle; Ian Madeleine, Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora; Daniel Cetoupe, Principal Secretary of the Department of Disaster Risk Management; Chief of the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) Major General Michael Rosette; and senior officials from the Office of the President.

The visit reflects the longstanding and multifaceted partnership between Seychelles and France, while underscoring the close ties that unite Seychelles and La Réunion through a shared Indian Ocean heritage and enduring cooperation, particularly in maritime security and the blue economy.