Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as a Small Island Developing State with an Exclusive Economic Zone of around 2.3 million square kilometres, Mauritius faces significant maritime security challenges that extend well beyond its capabilities due to its limited resources. These challenges include Illegal Unreported and Unregulated fishing, drug trafficking, transnational organised crime, irregular migration, piracy, climate change and the protection of critical maritime infrastructure to name but a few. No single country, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in the Western Indian Ocean can effectively address these challenges in isolation. Mauritius has consistently pursued a policy of strengthening bilateral, regional and international partnerships to enhance its maritime security, law enforcement and disaster capabilities. In this regard, Mauritius enjoys longstanding cooperation with friendly countries and international organisations such as India, France, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the European Union, INTERPOL and the UNODC, through joint exercises, capacity building, information sharing, maritime domain awareness initiatives, technical assistance and training programmes. These partnerships are essential in enhancing the capabilities of Mauritius to ensure its maritime surveillance while reinforcing regional security and stability in the Indian Ocean. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the State Partnership Program with the New Mexico National Guard and the proposed Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement with the Government of the United States of America are cooperation agreement aimed at safeguarding security in our EEZ. I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that the objective of the State Partnership Program Agreement, which was signed on 22 May 2026, is to establish an enduring institutional partnership through professional exchanges, technical cooperation and capacity building. The Agreement creates no legal or financial obligations on us, and is centred on knowledge sharing and professional cooperation. The scope of the State Partnership Program includes – (i) capacity building and professional training; (ii) humanitarian assistance, disaster preparedness and response; (iii) maritime and border security cooperation; (iv) cybersecurity and emerging security threats, and (v) operational planning and crisis management. As regards the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, Cabinet has approved its signing in May 2026, and it is expected that the Agreement will be signed shortly. The Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement is an instrument to facilitate the reciprocal provision of logistic support between the Government of Mauritius and that of the United States of America during authorised activities such as joint exercises, training, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief operations and other mutually agreed cooperative engagements. Under the proposed Agreement, the support, supplies and services include the provision of food, water, fuel, temporary accommodation, transportation, medical services, training services, repair and maintenance services and port services, where permitted by the national laws of both Parties. Such support may only be provided upon mutual agreement and on a reimbursable or equal-value exchange basis. In other words, if you give them food, they have to pay for it, whatever. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform the House that neither the State Partnership Program nor the proposed Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement constitutes a military alliance or a defence treaty. There is no provision in any of these two Agreements to authorise the establishment of foreign military bases, the permanent stationing of foreign military personnel, or the transfer of weapon. All cooperation remains subject to the laws of Mauritius and the sovereign decisions of the Government of Mauritius. These frameworks are intended solely to strengthen the operational capabilities, resilience and preparedness of Mauritius in addressing contemporary security challenges through cooperation with trusted international partners.

Yes.

Oui. Merci. L'honorable Premier ministre, peut-il la formulation, si le dossier des Chagos a été évoqué durant les négociations pour la signature de ces accords ?

This is a separate issue. It has not been involved in that.

Last one because time is already over.

Dans le même esprit démocratique et de transparence auquel faisait référence un peu plus tôt l'honorable Subron, l'honorable Premier ministre peut-il déposer sur la Table de l'Assemblée le texte intégral du State Partnership Program Agreement et de l'Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement pour que le public et les députés puissent en prendre connaissance ?

As I have said, there is no defence agreement or whatever. I will be prepared to do it, but I will have to check with the United States whether they agree.

Okay, time is over. The Table has been advised that the following PQs have been withdrawn: B/919, B/921, and B/923. Now we go to question address to hon. Ministers! The hon. Third Member for Flacq and Bon Accueil! NATIONAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION – EXTENDED PROGRAMME – ENROLMENTS & FAILURES