Baku, 7 July 2023 (TDI): Maldives and Azerbaijan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on increasing cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries.
The MoU was signed at an event held on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) which is currently ongoing in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The signed Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries aims to enhance bilateral cooperation between both sides.
Additionally, the MoU aims to facilitate the holding of regular consultations between the Maldives and Azerbaijan at all levels on matters of mutual interest.
The Memorandum of Understanding also aims to strengthen cooperation between the Maldives and Azerbaijan on the training of diplomats.
Maldives Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel applauded Azerbaijan’s strong efforts and commitments as the ongoing Chair of the Non-Aligned Movement, which was crucial for the accomplishments of NAM, particularly during the height of the pandemic.
In a similar vein, Khaleel welcomed Uganda as the next Chair of NAM and expressed confidence in their leadership and ability to steer the Movement’s work.
Meanwhile, Khaleel went on to acknowledge the important role NAM can continue to play in achieving prosperity and peace.
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He emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation and collaboration to address shared challenges, such as climate change and food insecurity, that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like the Maldives are particularly vulnerable to.
The Non-Aligned Movement was established in 1961, as a group of 120 countries that are not aligned with or against any major power blocs.
Diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Azerbaijan were formally established as far back as 1994. In the dimension of trade, the turnover between Azerbaijan and Maldives was $1,09 billion as of January-June 2015.
Conclusively, the MoU was signed by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Khaleel on behalf of the Government of Maldives, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Elnur Mammadov on behalf of the Government of Azerbaijan.
