The European Union has highlighted the progress and positive developments the Maldives has made “over the past year.”

EU’s Deputy Managing Director for Asia and Pacific Department at the European External Action Service (EEAS), Paola Pampaloni noted this during a call on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Sunday morning.

Noting the progress and positive developments made over the past year, Paola also applauded the country’s commitment to democratic reform and expressed EU’s intention of working closely with the current administration “in avenues of mutual concern.”

During the meeting, President Solih expressed his gratitude towards the “continued support and cooperation” extended by the EU to the Maldives, and emphasized that the country’s ties with the organizations “have significantly” improved since he assumed office in November 2018.

He noted that the administration was eager “to open a new chapter in the relationship”, including hosting the first ever Maldives-EU senior officials’ meeting.

The president also highlighted some of the areas the Maldives was keen on further exploring, such as easing the current tariffs placed on Maldives’ fish exporters as well as visa restrictions on Maldivians traveling to EU nations.

He expressed hope that more EU member states would partner with Visa Facilitation Services Global to provide visa services for Maldivian travelers.

Both parties also discussed ways to strengthen further cooperation in the field of combatting terrorism and violent extremism, as well as their keenness on increasing partnerships and building people-to-people contact between the Maldives and EU member countries.

The EU delegation visited the Asseyri Prison, in Himmafushi island, on Saturday.