The European Union (EU) has expressed interest in expanding its engagement with the Maldives. A delegation of EU Ambassadors made the statement during a meeting with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
The EU Ambassador to the Maldives Denis Chaibi headed the delegation. At the meeting, President Solih and the delegation members spoke about the agenda for the Maldives-EU Policy Dialogue, where the president talked about easing Schengen visa facilitation for Maldivian travellers. He also raised the matter of easing the tariffs that EU nations levied on the Maldivian fisheries sector exports.
The EU delegation expressed interest to expand its engagement, noting the Maldives is increasingly becoming a crucial actor on the international stage. In that regard, the delegation highlighted the leading role played by the Maldivian Presidency at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The delegation also congratulated the Maldives on winning its candidature for the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the term 2023-25. The delegation underscored the significant role that Maldives is situated to play through the UNHRC in bridging cooperation between western nations and Asia. The delegation members assured their commitment to work closely with the Maldives to elevate the existing cooperation on all fronts of common concern.