Discussions have been held on expanding the economic ties between Maldives and Serbia.
This was done during a courtesy call Ambassador of Serbia to the Maldives Sinisa Pavic paid on Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid on Sunday.
On Sunday, Pavic presented his Letter of Credence to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as the newly appointed Ambassador of Serbia to Maldives.
The new Serbian Ambassador also called on Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel with whom he discussed strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest.
During his meeting with FM Shahid, the Serbian Ambassador engaged in discussions on enhancing bilateral and multilateral relations between Maldives and Serbia.
They also shed light on the need for further cooperation to expand economic ties between the two countries, including increasing trade and investment.
FM Shahid also congratulated the ambassador on his ambassadorial appointment.
The meeting was joined by Foreign Secretary Ahmed Latheef, Bilateral Secretary Dr. Hala Hameed, Secretary Economic Cooperation Dr. Hussain Niyaz, Joint Secretary Shiuneen Rasheed and Director Adam Hamid.
Ambassador Pavic was among the ambassadors and high commissioners from eight countries who presented their Letters of Credence to President Solih on Sunday.
The ceremony saw Letters of Credence presented from the newly appointed Ambassador of Mongolia Ganbold Dambajav, Ambassador of France Jean-François Pactet, Ambassador of the Russian Federation Levan Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia Siniša Pavić, Ambassador of Hellenic Republic Dimitrios Loannu, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia Mateja Vodeb Ghosh, High Commissioner of the Republic of Namibia Gabriel P. Sinimbo and High Commissioner of the Republic of Canada Eric Walsh.
After the credential’s ceremony, the Maldivian leader sat down with the ambassadors and high commissioners for discussions.
The meetings saw President Solih shedding light on the essential roles the accredited ambassadors and high commissioners play in strengthening and sustaining bilateral relations between the Maldives and their respective nations.
President Solih went on to note that over the course of the past four years, his administration had realized the development aspirations of the people.
He added that it had relied on the power of diplomacy and international cooperation based on the three pillars of the Maldives' foreign policy: promotion and protection of human rights, consolidating democracy, and championing climate diplomacy, in fulfilling this commitment.
The Maldivian leader also stated that the administration is undertaking the necessary fiscal policy changes in a bid to mitigate the impacts of Covid-19 on the Maldivian economy.
Shedding light on the significance of increasing people-to-people contact, President Solih highlighted that enabling more accessible travel would encourage cultural exchanges, strengthen economic ties, and build everlasting bridges of peace, prosperity, and progress.
Highlighting that Maldives grants on-arrival visas, regardless of country, the president expressed hope for ease of travel for Maldivians by the respective countries soon.
President Solih also expressed hope that the relationship between the Maldives and the respective countries will be strengthened during the terms of the new ambassadors and high commissioners.
