Renewed commitment to enhance Maldives-EU ties confirmed after first SOM

The first Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) between Maldives and the European Union (EU) has confirmed both country’s renewed commitment to boost relations to new heights.

Held on Sunday in capital city Malé, the SOM is a “new mechanism” for consultations and it was introduced during Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid’s trip to Brussels, Belgium during June 2019.

The discussions during the inaugural SOM were co-chaired by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel and Deputy Managing Director for Asia and Pacific, European External Action Service, Paola Pampaloni.

Thematic areas covered during the SOM includes governance, democracy, human rights, rule of law, prevention of violent extremism and counter-terrorism, economic and trade cooperation, sectoral cooperation in areas such as fisheries, environment, taxation reform, Schengen Visa facilitation, education, social development, and regional cooperation on issues such as climate change.

During the meeting, Maldives and EU shed light on the importance of boosting continuous cooperation and forming sturdier ties. Moreover, the meeting proved the strengthened bilateral ties between Maldives and EU since the presidential elections of 2018, after which the government renewed its commitment to consolidate democracy, safeguard good governance, and reinforce the rule of law

A joint statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Delegation of the European Union to Sri Lanka and Maldives reads that the EU is willing to take on an “ambitious agenda” and promote cooperation with global partners under the leadership of the new Presidents of the European Commission, the European Council, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell

EU will particularly continue its support to Maldives in its efforts to uphold democracy, protect and promote human rights and enhance socio-economic development.

Further, EU reconfirmed that avenues to support Maldives in anti-corruption and judicial reform efforts are being explored, reads the statement.

Consecutively, EU also launched a new project on Sunday. The project will support Maldives in counter-terrorism efforts and fight against violent extremism.

The project coincides under the MVR 43 million fund allocated for EU-Maldives security cooperation projects and it will be implemented jointly with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and local stakeholders.

During the meeting, EU and Maldives reiterated keenness to take cooperation on global challenges such as climate change and environmental issues, to new heights.

Further, both governments agreed to continue facilitating trade and investment by European companies through the Business Roundtable initiative. Also, Maldives repeated its request to consider granting duty free access for tuna products from the Maldives as both countries are partners in trade and investment.

Acknowledging efforts by Maldives to complete consolidation of the Maldivian systems to fight illegal and unregulated fishing, EU stated that the approaching technical mission to the Maldives will be confirming constructive cooperation in this area.

Maldives went on to urge its request for visa-free travel to EU Member States with an aim of enhancing existing ties between Maldives and EU.

As part of the SOM, yearly exchanges at senior-officials level will be observed in order to enhance cooperation between both countries.