The European Union (EU) has pledged 6.5 million Euros to the government of Maldives.

Maldives and EU signed a financial agreement to allocate 6.5 million Euros in funds to strengthen the blue economy of the island nation, on Sunday.

Following the signing ceremony, Minister of Foreign Affairs Moosa Zameer and Deputy Managing Director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the European External Action Service Paola Pampaloni sat down for discussions, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Discussions revolved around the significant developments that have been brought forward through the cooperation between Maldives and EU.

Maldives has in recent years seen significant progress in climate change resilience, judicial reform, and counterterrorism as a direct result of collaboration with the EU.

Expressing gratitude to EU for the comprehensive support initiatives offered for the economy of Maldives, the foreign minister thanked EU for contributions made for the climate resilient socioeconomic development of the island nation.

This includes the financing agreement signed to allocate 6.5 million Euros, to be channeled to strengthen the blue economy of the island nation.

FM Zameer went on to highlight the Maldivian government’s keenness to be included in the list of countries exempt from Schengen visa requirements. 

Foreign Secretary Fathimath Inaya, Secretary Bilateral Dr. Hala Hameed, Joint Secretary Shiuneen Rasheed, Senior Under Secretary Hassan Hussain Shihab, Senior Political Director Ahmed Haanee Naeem and Chief Desk Officer Aminath Shaistha Hamdan Zaki joined the meeting.

Pampaloni is in the Maldives to co-chair the Fifth Senior Officials Meeting between Maldives and EU, held on Sunday.