Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid has reiterated the request to waive the Schengen Visa requirement for Maldivians, once more.

He said this during a meeting held with the Head of Taskforce for Electoral Campaign Bid Committee Expo 2030 Rome, Dr. Gaetano Castellini Curiel on Tuesday.

Representative Curiel is currently undertaking a visit to the Maldives from December 5 – 7 during which he is holding multiple high-level engagements as part of which the meeting was held at the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.

The meeting saw FM Shahid reaffirming the significance the Maldivian government attaches towards the bilateral relations with Italy, as well as the European Union.

Recognizing the contributions made by Italy in kickstarting tourism in the Maldives, FM Shahid went on to explore further avenues to expand the partnership between both countries on both bilateral and multilateral fronts.

Reiterating the request to waive the Schengen Visa requirement for Maldivians, FM Shahid also reiterated the request to waive the tariff imposed on Maldivian fish exports to the Europe.

The meeting was joined by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel, Joint Secretary Mariyam Midhfa Naeem, Assistant Director Mohamed Shaffau Ibrahim and Assistant Director Aishath Rayahyn.

Representative Curiel was accompanied by the Ambassador of the Italy to the Maldives, Rita Giuliana Mannella, and Honorary Consul Representative of Italy in Maldives Giorgia Marazzi.

Earlier on Tuesday, the delegation met with Fayyaz Ismail, Minister of Economic Development.

They are also expected to meet with the Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Aminath Shauna, and Minister of Tourism Dr. Abdulla Mausoom on Wednesday.