The incumbent administration is committed to implement measures to improve and ease the lives of the Maldivian community residing in Türkiye, says President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The Maldivian leader made this assurance during a meeting he held with the Maldivian community residing in Turkey, at the Nation's Library in capital Ankara on Monday.

The meeting saw the newly inaugurated Maldivian president inquiring the participants about their needs and the challenges they face.

The Maldivians who joined the meeting shared their daily struggles with the president and shed light on the need for government facilitation.

A particular concern raised at the meeting was the absence of a Maldivian embassy in Türkiye.

The community also shed light on the constraints on cash withdrawals abroad imposed by the Bank of Maldives (BML).

Imploring the possibility of seeking more scholarships and training opportunities for Maldivians, the people also emphasized the difficulties facing trainees due to the issues involved in travelling back to the Maldives during holidays.

President Muizzu assured the Maldivian community residing in Turkey that the government is actively working on establishing an embassy in Türkiye and gave his assurance that his administration has begun talks with BML to address the concerns regarding cash withdrawal limitations.

Noting that following deliberations with Türkiye officials on Monday, President Muizzu revealed that a decision was reached to allocate 30 scholarship opportunities to Maldivians for 2024.

Applications for the scholarships are expected to be opened in January 2024.

President Muizzu also shed light on his commitment to ensure ease for Maldivian students studying abroad and assured them that their concerns would be proactively addressed through consultations with relevant ministries.

The Maldivian leader stated that the government would extend its full support to local students pursuing their education overseas, which will in turn reinforce its commitment to the academic success of its students.

Acknowledged the ongoing contributions by the government of Türkiye to the economic development of Maldives, President Muizzu expressed confidence that the bilateral relations with Türkiye will be enhanced in the future.

The Maldivian First Couple is on their first official visit in Turkey from November 26 – 29. They are accompanied by a high-level delegation of senior government officials and Cabinet Ministers.