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Minister of State for Foreign Affairs meets Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific of UK

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs meets Minister of ... Image 1

 

12 May 2024

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, Sheryna Abdul Samad, met The Rt. Hon. Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, Minister of State for the Indo-Pacific of United Kingdom of Great Britain, and Northern Ireland today.  

During the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Minister Sheryna warmly welcomed Minister Trevelyan to the Maldives, who was on her first official visit to the country. State Minister Sheryna noted that Minister Trevelyan’s visit signifies the importance the government of the United Kingdom attaches to strengthening the longstanding relations with Maldives. Minister Trevelyan assured that she wishes to enhance the existing cooperation on several areas of mutual interest and looks forward to exploring further opportunities with the new administration of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

State Minister Sheryna further welcomed the United Kingdom’s decision to pursue a Free Trade Agreement with the Maldives, which will help to reduce the tariff barrier for fish exports to the United Kingdom from Maldives. Both Ministers also discussed having the second round of strategic dialogue between Maldives and United Kingdom in London later this year. Further discussions between the Ministers included enhancing bilateral relations across multiple sectors, including counterterrorism, maritime security, tourism, higher education, climate change and trade. 

Minister Sheryna also expressed concerns on the grave human rights and humanitarian situation in Gaza and reiterated the Maldives’ firm call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. 

Minister Trevelyan arrived in the Maldives on 9 May 2024 and was received by Secretary Bilateral Dr. Hala Hameed. During the visit, Minister Trevelyan held talks with Vice President Uz. Hussain Mohamed Latheef, Minister of Climate Change, Environment and Energy, Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, and Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed.

ENDS.