Madam Speaker, let me first inform the House that after the 2010 General Elections, I was made aware of a dispute between Mauritius and Seychelles over 396,000 square kilometres of Extended Continental Shelf in the Mascarene Plateau Region. The Governments of Mauritius and Seychelles were in disagreement, and therefore, we were going to the United Nations for the resolution of the dispute. I then decided to call the then President of Seychelles, Mr James Michel, and impressed upon him that Mauritius and Seychelles being two neighbouring and friendly countries should make an effort to avoid having recourse to the United Nations for the resolution of the dispute which could have taken about ten years to be resolved. The then President of Seychelles immediately agreed with me, and he decided that we can make a joint submission, that is, by both Mauritius and Seychelles, to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf. I must say, Madam Speaker, this initiative was highly commended by the then Secretary-General of the United Nations. In fact, I think it was unique that two countries decided not to go to the United Nations to resolve the dispute, but to come to an agreement between ourselves. In March 2011, the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf conferred upon both Mauritius and Seychelles joint jurisdiction over an area of 396,000 square kilometres of Extended Continental Shelf in the Mascarene Plateau Region. The area is now referred to as the Joint Management Area. In March 2012, Mauritius and Seychelles signed a treaty to jointly manage the Joint Management Area. They also agreed to exercise sovereign rights jointly for the purpose of exploring the Joint Management Area and exploiting its natural resources. The joint management of Mauritius and Seychelles of the Extended Continental Shelf remains a shining example of constructive international cooperation. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (a) of the question, the progress of the Joint Management Area was indeed addressed during the recent State Visit of His Excellency Dr. Patrick Herminie, President of the Republic of Seychelles to Mauritius. Both Mauritius and Seychelles reiterated their commitment to the sustainable development and sound governance of the Joint Management Area, in line with the principles of shared stewardship and mutual benefit. With regard to part (b) of the question, during the recent State visit of the President of Seychelles, we both made a solemn Joint Declaration concerning the sustainable development of the Joint Management Area in the Mascarene Plateau Region. The Declaration, Madam Speaker, reflects a deliberate political choice by both Mauritius and Seychelles, in that the sovereignty over maritime resources must be exercised responsibly, sustainably and in full respect of international law. The Declaration operationalises the 2012 Treaty on the Joint Management of the Continental Shelf in the Mascarene Plateau Region. It embeds environmental safeguards into every aspect of resource exploration and exploitation in the Joint Management Area. It affirms our commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Nairobi Convention, and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG 14. This Declaration further consolidates the legal and institutional framework which the Joint Commission of the Joint Management Area has established for its effective joint management. These comprise a series of legal codes which have been elaborated further to the signature of the Treaty – (i) The Environmental Code of Practice; (ii) The Model Petroleum Agreement; (iii) The Offshore Petroleum Safety Code; (iv) The Joint Fiscal and Taxation Code, and (v) The Marine Scientific Research Code. In addition, Madam Speaker, progress in the following areas has been noted during the last meeting of the Joint Commission of the Joint Management Area – (i) the conduct of a Sustainable Exploratory Fisheries for sea cucumber; (ii) potential for Carbon Credit projects; (iii) Joint Management Area Information System; (iv) Oil Spill Contingency Plan and Monitoring, Control and Surveillance; (v) Geotechnical/Seismic Survey; (vi) Monaco Indian Ocean Explorations, 2022; (vii) Domestication of Joint Management Area Codes, and (viii) Progress on Strategic Plan 2023-2027. With regard to part (c) of the question, this Government wishes to underline our readiness to pursue further technical discussions on the conduct of geotechnical surveys in the Joint Management Area, which are essential to improve scientific understanding of the seabed and its resources. The two coastal States are presently finalising the agreement for the conduct of geotechnical surveys with the Company CGG/Veridien, based in UK. These prospective activities will, however, be undertaken strictly within established environmental safeguards and in full adherence to national and international obligations, thus ensuring that the ecological integrity of the marine environment of the Mascarene Plateau is preserved while ensuring that conservation considerations remain paramount. Madam Speaker, the Joint Management Area remains a strategic partnership between Mauritius and Seychelles. It is a symbol of our shared responsibility to manage the resources of the Mascarene Plateau wisely, balancing economic opportunity with ecological stewardship. The recent State Visit has, in fact, reinforced this partnership and charted the course for deeper collaboration in the years ahead.

Thank you. Yes, briefly because I am short of time.

May I ask the hon. Prime Minister whether he can enlighten the House whether there is existence of hydrocarbons within this Joint Management Area? Is there any preliminary report further to the agreement reached in 2014 to have a preliminary report with regard to presence of hydrocarbons within the JMA? Do we have any preliminary report for that?

We know that Seychelles had already started doing this, even before we looked at the matter. There are, apparently. There are indications that there might be. We are still exploring.

Okay, Dr. Ms Daureeawo, last question! MAURITIAN DIASPORA SCHEME – SKILLED PROFESSIONALS RETURN