The government of Maldives has hosted the “Third Maldives – European Union Senior Officials Meeting”.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release issued on Tuesday, revealed that the “Third Maldives – European Union Senior Officials Meeting” was hosted at the ministry building on Tuesday afternoon.

The authority went on to reveal that the meeting re-affirmed the “positive” and “growing” momentum in the relationship between the Maldives and EU over the years.

Going into further details, the foreign ministry revealed that both sides reaffirmed their “strong” mutual interest in further enhancing bilateral ties that have stemmed from shared values and commitments, the principles of the United Nations Charter and international and to further deepening engagements including through the implementation of the EU Strategy for cooperation in the Indo Pacific.

The meeting also saw the EU commending the positive contributions Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid made in his capacity as the President of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

They also congratulated FM Shahid for the successful completion of his term as the UN PGA.

Welcoming the commitment of the Maldivian government towards consolidation of democratic governance, strengthening the rule of law and fighting corruption, promotion and protection of human rights and implementing reforms in the justice sector, the EU went on to reaffirm continuous strong support to the endeavors of the government of Maldives and importance for the implementation of these reforms.

Maldives and EU reiterated intension to expand the existing partnership and work closely in the UN and all relevant multilateral fora, including to address global challenges such as peace and security, climate change and biodiversity, water and plastic pollution as close partners in the multilateral domain.

Going on to congratulate Maldives on being elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025, the EU expressed hope for strong cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights in the multilateral framework.

The meeting also saw both sides shedding light on the significance of freedom of expression and opinion as essential foundations for democracy and the rule of law and highlighted continued “strong” support to civil society.

Further, Maldives also welcomed EU’s Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) for the Maldives 2021-2027, the first dedicated envelope to the Maldives since 2013.

Both sides also agreed to deepen cooperation in green transition, climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity protection and circular economy and continued support for good governance, rule of law and security, with EUR 12 million which is approximately MVR 178.6 million allocated for the period 2021-2024 under the MIP.

Through the MIP, the government of Maldives will receive support from the EU in key areas of the Strategic Action Plan 2019-2023 and the National Resilience and Recovery Plan.

The meeting also saw Maldives welcoming EU’s new actions for judiciary reforms and biodiversity protection.

Both sides also stressed on the need to enhance security cooperation especially in areas of counterterrorism and preventing violent extremism and agreed to explore avenues and expand the partnership, including through a new project focused on increasing security in the Maldives, going on to agree to enhance economic cooperation through mechanisms such as the Business Roundtable initiative as partners in trade and investment.

Discussions also revolved around sustainable management of fish stocks through the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, with both sides affirming commitment to the global fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

Maldives and EU also expressed keen interest to solidifying their bilateral partnership in this domain.

The Maldivian government went on to reiterate a request to the EU, to consider granting duty free access for sustainably sourced tuna products from the Maldives.

Shedding light on the importance of enhancing people-to-people ties between the two sides, the Maldives further stressed on its request for visa-free travel for Maldivians to travel to EU member states.

The meeting was held in a hybrid format with the discussions co-chaired by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel and Deputy Managing Director for Asia and Pacific at the European External Action Service Paola Pampaloni.