Seychelles’ Minister for Transport is visiting the Czech Republic for talks on mobility, aviation and infrastructure cooperation
01.06.2026 / 18:16 | Aktualizováno: 01.06.2026 / 18:44
Seychelles’ Minister for Transport, Ports and Civil Aviation, H.E. Véronique Laporte, is currently visiting the Czech Republic, accompanied by Mr. David Bianchi, Principal Secretary for the Department of Ports and Civil Aviation. The Seychelles delegation is in the Czech Republic from 31 May to 4 June 2026, combining participation in a major international forum in Prague with a series of technical visits and business meetings in other regions of the country.
A key stop in Prague is the Africa Smart Mobility Forum 2026, taking place on 1 June 2026 at the Czernin Palace. The forum focuses on cooperation opportunities between Europe and Africa in smart mobility, transport infrastructure and related technologies in the context of the EU Global Gateway initiative. Its public programme includes a joint panel on smart transport in Africa as well as thematic roundtables on urban mobility and smart cities, long-distance rail and road transport, and aviation and security technologies.
H.E. Ms. Véronique Laporte debating during the high level panel on transportation in Africa
At the forum, Minister Laporte delivered a welcoming address and then joined the first panel discussion as a speaker alongside eurocommissioner Josef Síkela and other african ministers and Czech experts and officials. Her programme in Prague also included a bilateral meeting with Czech Minister of Transport Ivan Bednárik. The delegation is also taking part in a reception bringing together approximately 350 participants from Czech companies, business associations, ministries and the diplomatic community.
delegates at the forum
According to publicly available information, the forum hosts delegations from Ghana, Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire, Tanzania, Gabon, Senegal, and Algeria. The public invitation also lists the participation of Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka and Minister of Transport Ivan Bednárik, as well as EU Commissioner Jozef Síkela. The event thus provides an important platform for dialogue between African partners and Czech as well as European institutions and companies.
One of the round tables
Following the Prague part of the programme, the Seychelles delegation will continue with technical visits in other parts of the Czech Republic. These include visits to LET Kunovice, ERA, and Air Navigation Services, including the control tower at Hradec Králové Airport, as well as participation in the Brno programme linked to the URBIS fair. Outside Prague, the delegation is accompanied by representatives of Omnipol, who are supporting the programme and follow-up contacts.
H.E. Véronique Laporte in Prague ASM Forum
The visit highlights the growing interest in Czech solutions in transport, civil aviation, airport technologies and related infrastructure. For Czech companies and institutions, it offers a valuable opportunity to present concrete expertise and deepen practical cooperation with Seychelles.
Připravil: Ing. Roman Plevák, Ph.D., vedoucí sekce obchodu a ekonomické spolupráce na Velvyslanectví ČR v Addis Abebě