The government of Maldives is willing to work with the government of France on shared priorities, says Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer.

He said this during a meeting with Ambassador of France to the Maldives Jean-François Pactet on Tuesday.

Ambassador of France to the Maldives Jean-François Pactet paid a courtesy call on the foreign minister of Maldives at the foreign ministry.

Welcoming Ambassador Pactet, FM Zameer shed light on the close and friendly relations that the Maldives and France have enjoyed over the years.

They engaged in discussions on avenues to further strengthen the existing cooperation between the two countries, in areas of mutual concern.

Views were exchanged on a wide array of issues including economic development, climate change and adaptation, security cooperation, increasing people to people contact, easing travel for Maldivians to travel to Europe and reducing the tariffs placed on Maldives fish products.

In addition to this, discussions revolved around multilateral cooperation between Maldives and France on issues relating to Small Island Developing States (SIDS), oceans as well as biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. 

The French ambassador assured the Maldivian foreign minister of his keen interest and commitment to work with the Maldivian government to further solidify cooperation between the two nations.

The meeting was joined by Bilateral Secretary Dr. Hala Hameed, Joint Secretary Shiuneen Rasheed and Senior Under Secretary Hassan Hussain Shihab.