President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has conducted discussions with Deputy Managing Director for Asia and Pacific Department at European External Action Service (EEAS) Paola Pampaloni over easing visa restrictions to European countries. The discussions were conducted during a meeting held at the President’s Office this morning.
During the meeting, President Solih welcomed Ms Pampaloni and her delegation, and expressed his gratitude towards the continued support and cooperation extended by the European Union (EU) to Maldives. In this regard, the president emphasised that Maldives-EU relations have significantly strengthened under his administration.
President Solih and Ms Pampaloni deliberated on easing visa restrictions on Maldivians travelling to EU countries, especially via Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) Global. The president expressed his hopes that more EU member states would partner with VFS Global to provide visa services for Maldivian travellers.
Stating the administration was eager to open a new chapter in the relationship by hosting the first-ever Maldives-EU senior officials’ meeting, President Solih highlighted some of the areas Maldives is keen on further exploring. Thereby, the president stressed on Maldives’ interest to ease the current tariffs placed on Maldivian fish exports and reforming its tax regime.
Speaking at the meeting, Ms Pampaloni underscored the progress and positive developments Maldives has made over the past year. Applauding the commitment of Maldives to democratic reform, she expressed the EU’s intention of working closely with the administration in avenues of mutual concern.
During the meeting, President Solih and Ms Pampaloni also discussed ways to strengthen further cooperation in the field of combatting terrorism and violent extremism. The meeting concluded with the president and Ms Pampaloni expressing their keenness on increasing partnerships and building people-to-people contact between Maldives and EU member countries.