Ref: 2024/PR/360
The Maldives and Azerbaijan today signed two key bilateral agreements aimed at enhancing close bilateral cooperation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan His Excellency Jayhun Bayramov, signed two bilateral agreements following their meeting in Baku, Azerbaijan, on the sidelines of the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The first was the “Agreement on Mutual Exemption of Visa Requirement for Holders of Diplomatic, Service and Official Passports between the Government of Maldives and the Government of Azerbaijan” aiming to simplify the movement between both countries. The visa exemption, once effective, will allow Maldivians holding valid Diplomatic and Official passports to enter, transit through and stay in Azerbaijan for up to ninety (90) days from the date of their entry. The limited visa agreement is a step closer to facilitating closer engagement and working towards visa exemption for all Maldivians, which both Governments agreed to give positive consideration to.
The second agreement signed was the “Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism between the Government of Maldives and the Government of Azerbaijan”, which focuses on promoting mutual tourism development through acknowledging the importance of tourism for the economic, cultural and social aspects of both countries.
During the discussion between the Ministers, Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel noted the close ties of friendship between the Maldives and Azerbaijan and reiterated his commitment to further strengthening cooperation. He also noted that the signing of the agreements will boost the existing bilateral relations between the two countries and will pave way for enhancing people to people contact, building cultural ties and tourism cooperation for mutual benefit. He also reaffirmed commitment to continue working closely in the multilateral arena.
ENDS