Upon the conclusion of the Indian Ocean Conference 2019, held in Paradise Island Resort from 3 – 4 September, Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has had a number of meetings with several ministers who participated.
The ministers who called on FM Shahid on Wednesday were the first ever woman to have been appointed a Designated Minister in Seychelles, Macsuzy Mondon, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries of Timor-Leste Joaquim Jose Gusmao dos Reis Martines and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius Nandcoomar Bodha.
Taking to Twitter following all three meetings, FM Shahid expressed pleasure in having met and held several important discussions with the ministers.
As such, FM Shahid wrote that Maldives and Seychelles are enjoying “renewed relations” since President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s State Visit to the island nation in July. He expressed hope for relations to reach new heights between both island nations.
The meeting further saw discussions held on ways to further enhance collaborations in battling climate change as well as blue economy initiatives.
Views were also exchanged on the significance of empowering youth and promoting youth-focused development between both countries.
FM Shahid was accompanied by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel, Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed and Assistant Director Moomina Ibrahim.
Consecutively, FM Shahid extensively discussed increasing collaboration in areas of fisheries and tourism with Minister Bodha of Mauritius.
“With the recent visit to Mauritius by President Solih, the two Indian Ocean nations have started a new chapter in bilateral relations”Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid.
During the meeting FM Shahid expressed gratitude for the country’s support for Maldives in their bid to host the Indian Ocean Island Games 2023, which Maldives won.
State Minister Khaleel, Foreign Secretary Ghafoor, Assistant Director Moomina and Senior Legal Officer Mohamed Aseel Hassan joined the meeting.
Further, FM Shahid gave Minister Martines the government’s assurance that Maldives government is committed to enhance bilateral ties with the country.
“Maldives would be happy to share expertise with Timor-Leste in developing their tourism industry”Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid.
In addition, FM Shahid conveyed gratitude for Timor-Leste’s active participation in the recently concluded IOC and noted close collaboration between both countries on issues like climate change and sustainable development.
The meeting was joined by State Minister Khaleel, Foreign Secretary Ghafoor, Ambassador of Maldives to Sri Lanka Omar Abdul Razzak and Political Director at the ministry Hassan Hussain Shihab.
