Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has engaged in discussions to strengthen defence and security cooperation between Maldives and Australia, with the country’s High Commissioner to Maldives David Holly.

High Commissioner Holly paid a courtesy call on the Maldivian foreign minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.

FM Shahid and HC Holly engaged in discussions revolving around a number of issues of mutual importance including avenues to further enhance the relations between both countries, described by the foreign minister to be excellent. Further, the pair touched down on enhancing defence and security cooperation as well as Australia's long-standing human resource development programmes.

Further, the pair also discussed climate change and went on to explore avenues through which the cooperation between Maldives and Australia may be strengthened in the multilateral domain.

Shedding light on the economic recovery efforts that are currently underway in the Maldives in light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, FM Shahid expressed gratitude to the Australian High Commissioner’s assistance extended in various ways throughout the pandemic.

As such, Maldives received two shipments of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and USD 300,000 in donations through United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to ensure that essential reproductive health and gender-based violence, information and services are accessible to women and girls during the global pandemic.

During his ongoing visit, HC Holly also called on the Minister of Defense and National Security, Mariya Ahmed Didi where the pair engaged in discussions revolving around the expansion of the defense sector cooperation between both countries. He also paid a courtesy call on the Commissioner of Police, Mohamed Hameed and Chief of Defense Major General Abdulla Shamaal alongside other members of the defense force in lieu of the visit.

Maldives and Australia celebrates 47 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries, this ongoing year.