A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the governments of Maldives and Azerbaijan.

In a publication on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that the MoU was signed between the governments of Maldives and Azerbaijan in a bid to increase cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries.

The MoU was signed during a ceremony held on Friday, on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) that is presently ongoing in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel signed the MoU on behalf of the Maldivian government, with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Elnur Mammadov signing the MoU on behalf of the government of Azerbaijan.

According to the foreign ministry, the MoU signed on Friday carries the objective of enhancing and expanding bilateral relations and cooperation between the Maldives and Azerbaijan.

It also aims to facilitate the holding of regular consultations between the two countries at all levels on issues of mutual interest.

Further, with the MoU signed between the two governments, cooperation between the two countries on the training of diplomats is also expected to strengthen.

As part of his visit to attend the Ministerial Meeting of the Coordinating Bureau of NAM in Baku, Azerbaijan, State Minister Khaleel called on the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) to address the challenges, surfacing for the globe at present while delivering remarks at the Ministerial Meeting.

Applauding Azerbaijan’s strong commitment and efforts as the outgoing Chair of NAM, which was crucial for the accomplishments of NAM particularly during the height of the pandemic, Khaleel welcomed Uganda as the next chair of NAM and expressed confidence in their leadership and ability to steer the movement’s work.

Khaleel went on to acknowledge the crucial role NAM can continue to play in achieving prosperity and peace.

He also stressed on the need to further strengthen cooperation and collaboration to address shared challenges, such as climate change and food security that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like the Maldives are particularly vulnerable to.

Established in 1961, the Non-Aligned Movement is a group of 120 countries that are not aligned with or against any major power blocs.

NAM has broadened its mandate to focus on emerging non-traditional challenges following the conclusion of the Cold War in 1991.

The Maldives became a member of NAM back in 1976.

On the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of NAM, Khaleel also called on a number of foreign dignitaries including the Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Elnur Mammadov, Vietnam’s Deputy Minister Do Hung Viet and Ethiopia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mesganu Arga Moach among several others.

During his meeting with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan, Khaleel expressed gratitude to the government of Azerbaijan for its leadership of NAM.

Discussions at the meeting revolved around ways to strengthen existing bilateral ties.

Discussions during his meeting with the Deputy Minister of Vietnam focused on strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Maldives and Vietnam.

Meeting with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, the Maldivian state minister shed light on the ways both governments can enhance people-to-people contact and strengthen ties.

He also called on Permanent Representative of Eritrea to the United Nations Sophia Tesfamariam Yohannes and held discussions regarding ongoing issues of concern and further strengthening the relationship.

In addition to this, he discussed the strong relationship Maldives has with Nepal, and strengthening the ties in areas of mutual interest, during a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nepal, Narayan Prakash Saud.