Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Khaleel met with the Deputy Managing Director, of the European External Action Service, Ms. Paola Pampaloni today.
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, Ahmed Khaleel met with the Deputy Managing Director, Asia and the Pacific, of the European External Action Service, Ms. Paola Pampaloni today.
During the meeting, State Minister Khaleel extended congratulations to the citizens and member states of the European Union on the occasion of Europe Day. State Minister Khaleel also expressed his gratitude to the European Union for its valuable assistance and support to the Maldives. Furthermore, State Minister Khaleel acknowledged the EU's vital role in promoting human rights, good governance, and democratic consolidation, and highlighted the 40-year-long relationship between the Maldives and the European Union.
Paola Pampolini, Deputy Managing Director of the European Commission, expressed the EU's commitment to deepening its engagement with the Maldives and emphasized the EU's readiness to provide continued support and assistance to the development of the Maldives. State Minister Khaleel and Deputy Managing Director Pampaloni further explored avenues of collaboration and discussed upcoming Fourth Maldives – EU Senior Official Meetings scheduled to be held in June 2023.
The European Union is a key partner to the Maldives, and over the past few years, the scope of cooperation between the Maldives and European Union has broadened to encompass a wide range of issues, including democratic consolidation, judicial reform, counterterrorism, and the promotion and protection of human rights, as well as environment and climate change.
State Minister Khaleel was accompanied by Secretary, Economic Cooperation, Dr. Hussain Niyaaz and Director, Adam Hamid.