The government of Canada is committed to increase its people-to-people ties with the Maldives.

This was affirmed by the newly appointed High Commissioner of Canada to the Maldives Eric Walsh, during a courtesy call he paid on Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid on Sunday.

Walsh presented his Letter of Credence to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as the newly appointed Canadian High Commissioner on Sunday.

FM Shahid congratulated High Commissioner Walsh on his appointment during the meeting.

Discussions between FM Shahid and HC Walsh revolved around the close and cordial relations between the two countries.

Further, they also spoke regarding ways to further increase the collaboration between Maldives and Canada in areas of mutual interest including climate action, democracy and good governance and global peace and security.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Secretary Ahmed Latheef, Bilateral Secretary Dr. Hala Hameed, Secretary Economic Cooperation Dr. Hussain Niyaz, Joint Secretary Shiuneen Rasheed and Desk Officer Saifulla Waleed.

HC Walsh 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 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.