The Maldives and Sri Lanka have exchanged views on strengthening collaboration at regional and international levels. The discussions took place during the Fourth Session of the Maldives-Sri Lanka Joint Commission that successfully concluded on June 7 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The delegation of the Maldives led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid engaged in productive discussions with the delegation from Sri Lanka headed by Ali Sabry, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, both sides delved into a wide range of topics crucial to the mutual interests of both nations. The discussions primarily centered around fostering greater cooperation in key areas such as the economy, education, health, defence, and culture. The ministers also exchanged views on strengthening collaboration at regional and international levels.
To solidify the commitment to closer ties, three significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between the Maldives and Sri Lanka following the meeting. These agreements mark significant milestones in the partnership between the two countries. The first MoU pertains to the establishment of the Maldives Cultural Centre. Another notable MoU focuses on Health Cooperation and lastly, to further enrich cultural ties, an MoU on Cultural Cooperation was also signed between both countries.
The Ministerial Meeting of the Joint Commission followed the Senior Officials' Meeting, which took place on June 6. Led by Dr. Hala Hameed, Secretary, Bilateral at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, and Yasoja Gunasekera, the Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, the Senior Officials discussed various bilateral issues, including trade and investment, defence, tourism, education, health, and cultural affairs. These meetings and agreements highlight the commitment of both countries to strengthen their bilateral relations and pave the way for enhanced cooperation and development across multiple sectors.