16th March 2011, Brussels;The first ever resident Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to the Kingdom of Belgium, H.E. Mr. Ali Hussain Didi, today presented his Letter of Credence to His Majesty King Albert II King of the Belgians.
In a ceremony held at the Royal Castle in Laeken His Majesty welcomed the Ambassador on his appointment, and spoke on further strengthening the relations between the Maldives and Belgium. Ambassador Didi thanked His Majesty for the welcome and passed on a message of goodwill from H.E. President Nasheed.
On His Majesty's query on climate change, Ambassador Didi spoke on the challenges Maldives was facing in climate change, specifically that adaptation measures remained a costly affair for the Maldives, and noted that assistance in this area was necessary. Ambassador Didi further noted that the Maldives remained vulnerable to piracy due to its close proximity to active pirate zones, and assured His Majesty that the combined efforts of the US and UK governments along with the EU remained crucial to addressing the situation.
His Majesty was also briefed on the economic cooperation between the EU and the Maldives, as well as the challenges facing the Maldives following graduation from the Least Developed Country status. Ambassador Didi also detailed the benefits of tourism to the Maldives pursuant to easier access from Belgium to the Maldives.
Ambassador Didi was accompanied by Mr Ahmed Nasir from the Maldives Embassy in Belgium. A Maldives Embassy to the Kingdom of Belgium was established in October 2010.
ENDS.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Fathulla Jameel Building, Malé, 20077, Republic of Maldives, | Tel Number: 00960 332-3400 | Emergency Contact: 00960 798-3400