President asks EU to make visa free, reduce fish duties
The sixth meeting of the Maldives-EU Dialogue was held on Wednesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Wednesday urged the ambassadors of European Union (EU) countries to cut duties imposed on Maldivian fish exports and to enable Maldivians to travel to the countries of EU without a visa.
Foreign minister Abdulla Shahid had made these requests during the previous EU policy dialogue meetings with the Maldives.
President Solih on Wednesday met with EU ambassador to the Maldives and Sri Lanka Denis Chaibi, who is currently in the Maldives for the sixth policy dialogue meeting between the Maldives and EU. The President's Office said that the key issues discussed at the meeting were:
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Making it easier for Maldivians travelling to Europe to obtain Schengen visas
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Reducing tariffs on local fish products exported to Europe
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The agenda of the EU-Maldives policy dialogue
'Our role in the international arena is important'
According to the President's Office, during Wednesday's meeting, the EU delegation noted that the Maldives plays an important role in the international community and expressed interest in further ties with the Maldives. Here are some of the highlights of the EU delegation:
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Noted that the Maldives has won the 2023-2025 session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)
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Highlighted the important role played by the Maldives in enhancing cooperation between western and Asian countries through UNHRC
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Noted the key role played by Maldives in the 76th session of the UN General Assembly as president.
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The Maldives and the EU pledged to further strengthen their bilateral relations in various areas
The sixth meeting of the Maldives-EU Dialogue was held on Wednesday at the foreign ministry. The countries that participated in the meeting were:
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Italian ambassador to the Maldives Rita Giuliana Mannella
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Austrian ambassador to the Maldives Katharina Wieser
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German ambassador to the Maldives Holger Lothar Seubert
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Dutch ambassador to the Maldives Bonnie Horbach
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Chargé d'affaires at the Romanian embassy Victor Chiujdea
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Deputy head of mission at the French embassy Aurelien Maillet
The meeting was chaired by foreign minister Abdulla Shahid and EU Ambassador to Maldives-Sri Lanka Denis Chaibi. According to the ministry, issues such as democracy, good governance, tourism, justice, security, trade, economy and investment were discussed at the meeting. The minister also said that they had discussed visa norms for travel to Europe.
