The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel met with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s First Assistant Secretary for North and South Asia Division Gary Cowan, today. During the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both State Minister Khaleel and First Assistant Secretary Cowan reviewed the strong bilateral cooperation between the two countries across a multitude of areas including human resource development, human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and security cooperation.
State Minister Khaleel and First Assistant Secretary Cowan also reflected on the enhanced bilateral relations between the two countries in the recent years, especially with the opening of the Australian High Commission in Malé.
Discussions also focused on the cordial ties in the multilateral arena on issues of mutual interest. State Minister Khaleel and First Assistant Secretary Cowan further emphasised the strong commitment of both sides, on advancing peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
As First Assistant Secretary Cowan’s visit coincides with the farewell of the Australian High Commissioner to the Maldives Paul Stephens, State Minister Khaleel extended his gratitude to the High Commissioner and the team in the Australian High Commission in Colombo for their work over the years towards strengthening the relations between Maldives and Australia.
First Assistant Secretary Gary Cowan was accompanied by Australian High Commissioner to the Maldives Paul Stephens, Deputy High Commissioner Andrew Hodges, Second Secretary Lara Sveinsson and Policy Officer Nikola Damjanovski.
State Minister Khaleel was accompanied by Joint Secretary Shiuneen Rasheed, and Desk Officer Saifulla Waleed.