The High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to the Maldives Caron Rohsler has paid a courtesy call on Vice President Faisal Naseem at the President’s Office, where the two discussed strengthening bilateral ties.
During the meeting, the vice president congratulated the high commissioner on a successful first year in her diplomatic posting to the Maldives, noting that the relationship between the Maldives and the UK has gone from strength to strength during her tenure. He thanked her in particular for her assistance in expediting the Maldives’ successful effort to rejoin the Commonwealth earlier this year, while emphasising that the Maldives is proud to be a part of this important organization.
The vice president and high commissioner also discussed the countries’ respective situations with respect to COVID-19 and on coordinating government efforts and messaging to better control the pandemic. They also discussed cooperation with regard to a range of areas including education, the economy and trade, tourism, multilateral engagement, and coordinating efforts to preserve the environment and address the climate emergency.
The vice president thanked the UK government for its decision to include the Maldives in its travel corridor list, noting that the UK remains one of the largest tourism markets for the Maldives. He noted the Maldives is happy that an increasing number of UK tourists have been visiting the Maldives following the gradual reopening of borders.
Further, Vice President Faisal Naseem urged the UK government to positively consider the Maldives’ requests for tariff concessions on tuna exports. He reiterated that the Maldives exclusively uses pole and line methods for its fisheries, making its tuna the most sustainably fished in the world.
Ending the call, the vice president and high commissioner expressed their mutual commitment to strengthen the already excellent ties between the Maldives and the United Kingdom.