United States Senator, Chris Van Hollen has noted that the country looks forward to deepen economic relations with the Maldives.
Senator Van Hollen made these remarks while speaking with Maldivian journalists, during a roundtable meeting with the press, held at the Hotel Jen, on Monday.
Speaking at the roundtable, the US Senator said that the United States' government believes in strengthening it’s relations with the Maldives and expanding economic relations and people to people contact.
Noting that the US and the Maldives has had some important relationships when it comes to maritime security, Senator Van Hollen said that the country hopes to deepen economic relations in the future.
He noted that the US will welcome any ideas to further strengthen any partnership between the two countries.
So the United States looks forward to continue working with the government of the Maldives to help Maldives to protect its EEZ. Whether that is about protecting fisheries against others trying to poach, or whether that has to do with drug smuggling or anything else. I do think that we look forward to continue working with the Maldives,United States Senator, Chris Van Hollen
Senator Van Hollen went on to say that the government of the United States looks forward to help the Maldives protect its Exclusive Economic Zone.
While speaking with the press, the Senator noted that one of the positions that the US shares with the Maldives is the importance of a free and open Indian Ocean where sovereignty is respected. He stated that this means, the United States will continue providing Maldives with any kind of technical or other assistance to help the Maldives with its maritime domain awareness.
Additionally, he went on to say that having a dedicated ambassador to the Maldives is a sign of the increasing friendship between the Maldives and the United States and a recognition by the United States' government to the importance of its relations with the Maldives.
Senator Van Hollen stated that having an ambassador in the Maldives will provide opportunities to the ambassador to engage directly with the Maldivian government and the people, to work more closely, whether its combating extremism, whether it’s working on climate change resilience or any other such important issues.
Furthermore, the Senator also spoke about providing more exchange programs and educational opportunities for Maldivian students to pursue higher education in the United States and noted that he looks forward to explore this with the US Ambassador to the Maldives. He stated this will also help in strengthening people to people relations and help to strengthen the economic interaction between both the countries.
