Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that on 27 February 2015, Cabinet had agreed to the signing of a MoU with the Government of India for the improvement of Sea and Air Transportation Facilities at Agaléga. I wish to inform the House that this MoU was signed on 11 March 2015. Subsequently, following a PNQ on 31 March 2015, a copy of the MoU was tabled in the House. Madam Speaker, the Agreement with the Government of India on infrastructural projects in Agaléga was signed on 27 May 2017. It relates to the protection and safeguarding of our maritime security needs in the following areas, among others – (i) a surveillance and monitoring of our vast EEZ which is of 2.3 million square kilometres; (ii) counter-piracy, counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics and human trafficking;

30 (iii) controlling poaching and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; (iv) provision of hydrographic services; (v) promoting economic development, including blue economy initiatives; (vi) emergency response, including search and rescue; (vii) marine protection response, and (viii) Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster relief activities. Madam Speaker, the new airstrip, the jetty and their associated infrastructure have been entirely financed and constructed by the Government of India. The Agreement provides that the title to all the immovable property being constructed in Agaléga by the Government of India will remain with the Government of Mauritius. In addition, the Government of India is also assisting the Government of Mauritius in the operation and maintenance of the facilities, and the relating costs are being borne by the Government of India. Accordingly, technical experts from the Government of India are currently operating and maintaining the facilities. With regard to part (a) of the question, I would like to inform the House that the airstrip and associated facilities that have been constructed in Agaléga include a 3 km long and 45 m wide airstrip. It also includes an Air Traffic Control Tower, a Passenger Terminal Building, an Aircraft Hangar, an Electrical Station, as well as a new jetty. With regard to parts (b), (c) and (d) of the question, there is a Confidentiality Clause in the Agreement, similar to other Agreements that Mauritius has signed with other States. We are bound by this Confidentiality Clause. However, I can assure the House that the hon. Deputy Prime Minister and myself have looked at the Agreement and we can state that there is nothing that should be a matter of concern, especially in respect of the sacrosanct principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Thank you. Yes, hon. Quirin!

Merci, Madame la présidente. Dois-je rappeler à la Chambre que l’actuel Deputy Prime Minister, de même que l’honorable Dr. Boolell, lors de ses précédents PNQs, alors qu’il était leader de l’opposition en 2022, le 26 juillet et en octobre 2023, les deux, avec raison, avaient réclamé que tout soit rendu public, qu’il n’y ait pas de clause confidentielle, comme le précédent gouvernement avait, je ne dirai pas caché, mais n’avait pas voulu, à l’époque, aussi rendre public cette clause confidentielle ? Donc, doit-on comprendre que, malgré que l’actuel Deputy Prime Minister et l’honorable Dr. Boolell, alors qu’il était leader

31 de l’opposition - qu’est-ce qui peut empêcher le Premier ministre, aujourd’hui, de dévoiler à la Chambre – comme il vient de l’affirmer – cet accord, puisqu’il n’y a rien de compromettant dans cet accord ; qu’est-ce qui l’empêche de rendre public justement cet accord entre l’Inde et Maurice ?

Not only the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Dr. Boolell, I also said that during the campaign, but there is a clause of confidentiality in the agreement. We did not see the agreement at the time. There is a clause. That agreement subsumed the understanding reached in 2015 of the Memorandum of Understanding. That is the reason.

You have another question?

J’ai une autre question, Madame la présidente, avec votre permission. Plusieurs médias étrangers, dont certains journaux renommés, réputés de l’Inde avaient…

No! In this House, you are not going to talk about the media. We want to know what your question is.

Ma question est la suivante : il y a une question que toute la population se pose et même…

Ça c’est bien! Allez-y!

…ceux qui sont concernés par ce qui se passe à Agaléga. Ils veulent savoir s’il n’y aurait pas une base militaire à Agaléga; est-ce que Agaléga ne serait pas utilisé, à l’avenir, comme une base militaire.

‘À l’avenir’, okay.

I can assure the House that it is absolutely not the case.

Alright! Yes, hon. Third Member for Flacq and Bon Accueil! BRIGADE POUR LA PROTECTION DE LA FAMILLE – CHILD ABUSE & JUVENILE DELINQUENCY – EFFICIENCY & SYSTEM REVIEW