22nd June 2011, Male';The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs H. E. Mr. Aslam Shakir met with the visiting delegation of members of the German Parliament today. The delegation was represented by the Member of Parliament and Honorary Consul of Maldives to Germany, Mr. Christian von Stetten and accompanied by Dr. Christian Ruck and Mr. Oliver Luksic.
At the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Minister held discussions with the visiting German parliamentarians on the Maldivian economic and climate change initiatives as well as strengthening the bilateral relations between the Maldives and Germany.
In response to question raised by the Parliamentarians on the Schengen Staten Countries visa process; the State Minister sought German support for easing the visa arrangements for Maldivians highlighting that similar arrangement existed with United Kingdom and Australia.
In conclusion, the State Minister thanked the members of the delegation and Government of Germany for the continued assistance provided by the German Government, and expressed confidence that Germany would continue to engage with the democratic institutions to strengthen the emerging democracy.
Honorary Consul Mr. Christian von Stetten thanked the State Minister for meeting with them, and conveyed the goodwill of the people of Germany and expressed hope that relations between Germany and the Maldives will continue to flourish.
ENDS.