WRITTEN QUESTION E-1149/03

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 April 2003)

Subject: Seychelles

Recently, an Italian businessman was the victim of a violent aggression on the island of Mahé by a colonel in the Seychelles armed forces.

Such violence is particularly harmful to the image of the islands.

As the Seychelles are a favourite destination for many European tourists, what measures is the European Union willing to take to better protect its citizens?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(29 April 2003)

Unfortunately, violent aggressions towards tourists happen in tourist destinations all around the world and even inside Europe. The Commission does not possess any evidence that attacks on tourists in the Seychelles occurs regularly or are even driven by the Government. On the contrary, the Government Tourism board is probably deeply embarrassed by the incident, since the man in question was involved in promoting tourism in Seychelles. This isolated incident of road rage is not an issue where the Commission can usefully intervene.