Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has stated that the Maldives was isolated from the international community due to the previous government's foreign policy. He made the remark at the ceremony held to confer the most distinguished Foreign Service medal to two long-serving individuals.
At the ceremony, Minister Shahid said that the Maldives was isolated and excluded from the international community when President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih assumed office. He said that under the new open foreign policy, the Maldives has established diplomatic relations with 185 out of 192 countries. The president has also appointed ambassadors to 35 countries and established 17 embassies and two consulates. In addition, 101 countries have granted Maldivians visa-free entry.
Additionally, Minister Shahid said that Maldivians can obtain visas to 18 of the 27 countries in the Schengen Area without having to travel to India and Sri Lanka. He thanked President Solih for supporting the efforts of the foreign ministry and said that awarding officials for their service shows the government's commitment to retaining talent. He added that the president also acknowledged the efforts of the foreign ministry officials by ratifying the Foreign Service Act.
During the ceremony, President Solih was presented with a book on the work conducted by the foreign ministry for the past five years and a book on the work conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic.