Malé, 26 November 2021 (TDI): Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, Ahmed Khaleel, received the Ambassador of France to the Maldives, Eric Lavertu. The conference was held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is located in Malé, the capital of Maldives. The two discussed the present and future of bilateral relations between Maldives and France.
STATE MINISTER EXPRESSES GRATITUDE
State Minister Khaleel expressed gratitude to the French Ambassador on behalf of Maldives, for France’s generous and continued support in various dimensions. In particular, he intimated appreciation for assisting in the sectors of development, democracy, security, human rights as well as helping strengthen governance.
FRANCE’S COMMITMENT TOWARDS MALDIVES
On the other hand, Ambassador Lavertu amicably remarked on Maldives’ development and progression over the past few years. He further extended congratulations to the Maldives for appropriately and successfully handling the Covid-19 pandemic situation. Moreover, in response to Khaleel’s thanks, he expressed that France was committed to assisting the Maldives in multiple spheres.
AVENUES FOR FURTHER BILATERAL COOPERATION
The two parties additionally highlighted ways to further expand cooperation and as a consequence, strengthen diplomatic bonds between both nations. Furthermore, they agreed to collaborate in the matters of security, sustainable development, green recovery, and agriculture.
In the past, France and Maldives have worked together in the environmental sector. In 2009, France signed a funding convention for the French Global Environment Facility (FGEM). The main objective of this initiative was to carry out the “Mapping of the Maldives and Climate Change” project. For this venture to take form, FFEM invested €1.5 million.
ADDITIONAL PARTICIPANTS
Economic Counsellor of the Embassy of France, Jean-Alexandre Egea, accompanied Ambassador Lavertu on his trip. The third official joining them was Ismail Wafir, Honorary Consul of France to the Maldives.
Meanwhile, Minister Khaleel was accompanied by Assistant Director, Hussain Azhaan Mohamed Hussain and Joint Secretary, Shiuneen Rasheed.
FRANCE-MALDIVES BILATERAL RELATIONS
According to the French Ministry of Foreign affairs, France does not have an Embassy in the Maldives, so their Embassy in Sri Lanka represents France in the Maldives. In 2009, France inaugurated an Alliance Française branch in Malé. In 2017, approximately 42,000 french citizens visited the Maldives.
