<B>What is your vision of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC)?</B>

The IOC provides the opportunity for cooperation where everyone should feel there is solidarity between the islands.

<B> What are your priorities?</B>

It is the responsibility of the Council of ministers to define IOC priorities as it is the head. But we have to put more emphasis on an information and communication strategy so that IOC actions can be known and visible to everyone.

<B> The “Comité des Sages” made several recommendations. Which ones will be applied first?</B>

We are studying the report of the committee at the moment. It will be on the agenda of the next summit of Heads of State and Government next year. But three major lines have already emerged regarding economic integration and international trade negotiation, environment, sustainable and human development. I am referring to education, health and culture.

<B>Which common strategies will you favour?</B>

We want to strengthen the mode of communication of the IOC. All member states will be more involved. They have to inform their citizens about IOC projects through the press or any other media.

<B>How do you view the political and diplomatic role of the IOC? </B>

This role will also be strengthened. In Madagascar and Comoros, the IOC has already played a major role in solving political conflicts that shook those member states.

<B>The private sector does not seem happy with IOC achievements. How will you boost trade and economic exchanges between member states?</B>

Regional integration has already been the subject of a programme to develop exchanges between 1996 and 2002… We must now build up upon what has been achieved and boost the economic exchanges. There is a new programme financed by the European Union to empower the private sector. This is included in the Cotonou convention. The IOC will act as an intermediary.

<B>The Comité des Sages proposed that an economic agreement be signed between member states. According to you, when could this be set up?</B>

We will have to wait for the report to be adopted by the Council of ministers and the summit before signing the agreement.

<B>Are there any obstacles to the development of the IOC? What will you do to remedy the situation?</B>

The main obstacle is human resources. The IOC has extended programmes but we have only two heads of mission. We will have to quickly fill this void and ask the states to collaborate in order to have more people in our technical team.