Further cooperation on issues of fish tariff, visa facilitation and counter-terrorism is important between Maldives and Malta, says President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

These remarks were made during a meeting held after the new High Commissioner of Malta to the Maldives, Reuben Gauci presented his Letters of Credence to the Maldivian president at the President’s Office on Monday.

The meeting saw the new High Commissioner expressing desire to work closely with the island nation in facilitating further cooperation and opportunities and to take bilateral relations to newer heights.

Welcoming HC Gauci to the Maldives and congratulating him on the commencement of his tenure, the president highlighted the strong partnership between the Maldives and the European Union and stressed on the importance of further collaboration on issues of fish tariff, visa facilitation and counter-terrorism. The high commissioner reiterated this sentiment.

The high commissioner shed light on the similarities between both countries, from geographical features to multilateralism ideologies.

The meeting also saw the pair engage in discussions regarding mutually beneficial areas including human resource development, exploring higher educational prospects, tourism sector collaboration, pandemic management, and climate change goals.

President Solih and the high commissioner of Malta also discussed exploring commercial and financial cooperation.

President Solih ended the call by expressing commitment to further enhance the long-standing bilateral relationship between Maldives and Malta.

Diplomatic ties were established between Maldives and Malta on 5 March 1985.