The newly appointed Australian High Commissioner to the Maldives, Paul Stephens, has made a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, Abdulla Shahid.

High Commissioner Stephens met with Foreign Minister this Shahid on Monday.

The meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs saw Minister Shahid congratulating High Commissioner Stephens on his appointment.

Additionally, discussions were held on the longstanding relations between the two countries in a wide range of areas.

Both Minister and High Commissioner expressed hope that the close cooperation, especially in the fields of education, security, environment and climate change, would expand with the opening of a new resident High Commission of Australia in Maldives.

Minister Shahid and High Commissioner Stephens also reassured commitment to enhance cooperation on multilateral issues of mutual importance.

Minister Shahid was accompanied by Secretary Bilateral Dr. Hala Hameed, Joint Secretary Shiuneen Rasheed, and Assistant Director Mohamed Shaffau Ibrahim.