Seychelles and France sign a “Procès- Verbal”

In a short ceremony at the Foreign Affairs Department, on Thursday 4th November 2021, the Seychelles Attorney General, Mr. Frank Ally and the French Ambassador to Seychelles, Mr. Dominique Mas signed a “Procès -Verbal” following a 3-day negotiation session between the two countries. The purpose of the meetings was to discuss and agree on the draft texts of two treaties namely: “The Extradition Agreement” and “The Agreement on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters”, that are expected to be signed in the near future.
These Agreements serve as evidence of Seychelles’ and France’s excellent bilateral relations. In his opening remarks, the Attorney General emphasised on the importance of international cooperation in criminal matters and took this opportunity to renew Seychelles’ commitment towards assistance in criminal matters between the two countries.
On his part, the French Ambassador recalled the double meaning of the legal conventions that the two countries intend to sign; “it as a sign of the joined commitment of Seychelles and France to continue working together in the fight against all forms of crime and the rejection of impunity”, noted Ambassador Mas.
“The Extradition Agreement” intends to return suspects to their home countries for prosecution of their crimes. While “The Agreement on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters” aims to establish a structure through which the two nations’ competent agencies can share information about criminal investigations, particularly in preparation for criminal proceedings.
The Seychelles delegation included Legal Advisor for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Sandra Michel, State Council, Ms. Nissa Thompson and Second Secretary, Ms. Zénab Kanté, while the French delegation comprised of Magistrate – Convention, Civil Affairs and Mutual Legal Assistance Service, Ms. Milca Michel-Gabriel and Magistrate – European and international negotiation in criminal matters office, Ms. Bertille Dourthe.