Covid-19: Maldives to receive additional financial support from EU 'in the coming days'

Maldives is to receive additional support from the European Union, in its Covid-19 response efforts.

The organization provided a grant funding totaling EUR three million to the Maldivian government, back in April.

Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid held a telephone conversation with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles, on Thursday.

During the conversation, the foreign minister highlighted on the reinvigorated Maldives-EU partnership, and expressed appreciation for EU’s continued assistance to the Maldives’ efforts against the Covid-19 pandemic.

He particularly noted the recent three million Euros grant assistance from the European Union, as well as the additional support that is to be extended through the European Investment Bank soon.

During the conversation, Fontelles had expressed interest “in strengthening cooperation with the Maldivian government on global challenges such as climate change, counter-terrorism and democracy consolidation”. He also commended the Maldives for the progress made on these key issues.

The two officials also reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual importance, to further strengthen the ongoing partnership.

While the EU has provided a three million euros assistance to the Maldives, EUR one million is for the health sector and the remaining two million to the tourism industry including the smaller operators and their employees.

EU’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Denis Chaibi, had said that EU-Maldives collaborative approach is needed more than ever “in these unprecedented times” and that this global challenge can only addressed by working together.

Maldivian officials, at multiple platforms, have reiterated the importance of support from international partners in containing and overcoming pandemic.