The Maldives and Hungary have signed three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) on economic cooperation, higher education, and sports diplomacy. The MoUs were signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Péter Szijjártó during his official visit to the Maldives.
The MoU on Economic Cooperation was signed by Minister Szijjártó and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid. It aims to promote business linkages and facilitate the growth of bilateral trade and investments in several areas such as construction, hospitality and tourism through the exchange of officials and experts between the Maldives and Hungary. Additionally, Minister Szijjártó and Minister of Higher Education Dr. Ibrahim Hassan signed a new additional protocol to the Stipendium Hungaricum programme, which increases the scholarships offered by Hungary from 15 to 25 slots each year. As such, Maldivian students will receive 100 scholarships in total between 2021-2024. The MoU on Sports Diplomacy was signed by Minister Szijjártó and Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof. It will facilitate the exchange of programmes, experiences and technical expertise under the Stipendium Hungaricum programme. It will also provide training opportunities for football coaches.
It is the first Official visit from a Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary to the Maldives and marks an important milestone in the 47-year-long bilateral relationship between the two countries.