Seychelles
Diplomatic relations between Poland and Republic of Seychelles were established on 1979.
Political cooperation
Historical outline
Diplomatic relations between Poland and the Seychelles were established on February 12, 1979, as a result of announcing a joint press release in the capitals of both countries - Warsaw and Victoria. The Seychelles remain within the territorial competence of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Nairobi. In June 2006, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Seychelles in Poland was appointed - Mr. Wiesław Judycki, residing in Gdańsk. So far, the Seychelles ambassador has not presented his letters of credence in Poland.
In June 2006, the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Seychelles in Poland was appointed - Mr. Wiesław Judycki, resident in Gdańsk. In April 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs agreed to increase the rank of consul to the rank of honorary consul general. In 2016, the Undersecretary of State of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Joanna Wronecka, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Seychelles on the sidelines of the summit of the Francophonie States, seeking support for Poland's candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UNSC.
On November 18, 2021, the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Poland and the Government of the Republic of Seychelles on air transport was signed in Dubai, negotiated by the President of the Civil Aviation Authority. The agreement provides for liberal conditions for the provision of scheduled air services, with no restrictions on the number of designated air carriers, points in the territories of the parties for operations, frequencies or types of aircraft operated. Pursuant to the provisions of the Agreement, it may be applied from the date of signing.
In 2023, during an official visit during the presentation of credentials to Wavel Ramkalawan, the President of the Republic of Seychelles, as part of extensive ministerial, industry and institutional consultations, the Ambassador of the Republic of Poland held a number of talks supporting international cooperation in relation to the state and development of Polish-Seychelles relations. Then, in February 2024, at the initiative of the Polish Embassy in Nairobi, a partnership agreement was signed between Grodzisk Mazowiecki and the capital of the Seychelles - Victoria, which will contribute to the development of mutual relations on many levels (economy, trade, science and technology; education, culture and tourism).
Economic cooperation
The basis of the Seychelles economy is tourism, which employs about 30% of the working population and brings about 80% of the budget revenue. Industry, primarily the fishing industry, accounts for 14% of GDP, while the rest of the state's income is generated by agriculture. According to the World Bank, the Seychelles' economic growth rate is currently around 3%. The islands mainly export fish, vanilla, cinnamon and copra, while importing machinery and equipment, petroleum and chemical products, as well as - unable to meet their own needs with domestic production - food products. The gross domestic product per capita, worth almost USD 18,000, is one of the largest in Africa. Unemployment remains at around 3%, and there is a significant shortage of labour on the market.
According to data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS), in 2022 Poland exported goods to the Seychelles with a total value of USD 3.28 million, most of which were food products (including malt, poultry meat, pork). Imports from the islands to Poland for 2022 amounted to USD 1.06 million.
Scientific and academic cooperation
Lack of scientific cooperation between Poland and the Seychelles. There are no Polish citizens taking up studies in the Seychelles.
Recognition of academic qualifications
Seychelles are the Party to the Hague Convention of the 5th of October 1961 Abolishing the Requirement of Legalisation for Foreign Public Documents.Therefore, the academic documents from Seychelles must bear the apostille.