Maldives requests support from Russia, Turkey in Covid-19 response efforts

Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid had telephone conversations with his counterparts from Russia and Turkey on Monday.

The foreign ministry said that the call with Russia’s Sergey Lavrov took place in the afternoon.

Noting that the two ministers had discussed the challenges faced due to the Covid-19 pandemic as well as briefed each other on the measures being taken by the respective governments to contain the spread of the virus, as well as ways to overcome the economic and financial consequences of the virus.

Minister Shahid also requested Russia’s assistance in addressing these challenges.

During the conversation with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Shahid briefed him on “the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Maldives and the measures implemented to curb the spread of the virus”.

Further highlighting on the economic and financial aspects of the pandemic, minister Shahid requested the support of the Turkish government to overcome the impending challenges faced by Maldives.

The Turkish minister stated that they firmly supported the Maldivian government’s efforts and measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus and both ministers “agreed that the ongoing global health situation could only be normalized through collaborative efforts by the international community”.

Finance Minister Ibrahim Ameer had, in a letter sent to the People’s Majlis, revealed that Maldives is seeking over USD 200 million in foreign aid to manage the country's finances amid the ongoing pandemic. While the minister had revealed 11 parties in which the government is in discussion with, he added that the country will also require assistance from friendly nations.

The government predicts that about MVR 1.4 billion will be used in coronavirus relief efforts, over the next three months.