The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Seychelles, Barry Faure, has departed from the Maldives after concluding his official visit to the country.
During the visit, the Seychelles Foreign Minister held productive discussions with his Maldivian counterpart, Iruthisham Adam on further strengthening Maldives-Seychelles relations, including cooperation in tourism, trade and investment, climate action, and people-to-people exchanges. The ministers also exchanged views on enhancing coordination at regional and multilateral fora as fellow Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
A key highlight of the visit was the implementation of the Agreement on Short Stay Visa Waiver between the Maldives and Seychelles, which entered into force on 15 May 2026. The agreement allows nationals of both countries to travel visa-free for short stays of up to 30 days.
During the visit, the two ministers also participated in a tree-planting ceremony at Lonuziyaaraiy Park, contributing to the government’s Five Million Trees Plantation Programme inaugurated by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The Foreign Ministry said the ceremony reflected the shared commitment of the Maldives and Seychelles as fellow island nations and SIDS to environmental sustainability and climate action.
The visit marked the first official visit to the Maldives by a Foreign Minister of Seychelles and further reaffirmed the longstanding friendship and close cooperation between the two fellow island nations.
Foreign Minister Barry Faure was seen off at the airport by senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.