President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has revealed plans to establish a Maldivian High Commission in South Africa. The plan was discussed during the meeting held between President Solih and the newly appointed Non-Resident High Commissioner of South Africa to the Maldives, Sandile Edwin Schalk following the presentation of credentials by the high commissioner.
Speaking with the high commissioner, President Solih stated that the Maldives is committed to strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the two countries. The high commissioner expressed his readiness to collaborate with the Maldives on international fronts, echoing President Solih’s sentiments.
The president stated that the Maldives is looking forward to establishing a Maldives High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa. He said that it would be the first Maldivian High Commission established on the continent of Africa and that it would help demonstrate the closeness between the two nations, also expressing hope that the opening of the office would extend the outreach of the Maldives. The president and the high commissioner spoke further on improving tourism, infrastructure development, and enhancing collaboration in the international fora.
Following his meeting with President Solih, High Commissioner Schalk also met with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel. During the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Minister Khaleel welcomed High Commissioner Schalk and congratulated him on presenting credentials as the Non-Resident High Commissioner from South Africa to the Maldives. Underscoring the long-standing bonds of friendship between the Maldives and South Africa, State Minister Khaleel and Ambassador Schalk exchanged views on further consolidating bilateral ties and intensifying collaboration and exchanges between the two countries.
High Commissioner Schalk assured of his commitment to working closely with the Government of Maldives with a renewed focus in areas of mutual interest including tourism, trade and education.
The Maldives established diplomatic relations with South Africa on July 27, 1994.