The Maldives and Turkey have signed five memoranda of understanding (MoUs) in key areas, including trade and economic cooperation. The MoUs were signed at a special ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following official talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.
The agreements were in the areas of foreign relations, trade and economic cooperation, environment, agriculture, and cultural cooperation. As such, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu signed the agreement between the Diplomacy Academy in Turkey and the Foreign Service Institute of Maldives with Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid. The agreement paves the way for stronger cooperation between the two diplomacy academies.
Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu signed the agreement on trade and economic cooperation with the Minister of Economic Development Fayyaz Ismail. Under the agreement, a ministerial-level joint economic commission will be established to further enhance economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu also signed an agreement on agricultural cooperation with Minister of Fisheries, Marine Resources, and Agriculture Dr. Hussain Hassan. Through the agreement, Maldivian farmers will receive vocational and professional training and help expand the agricultural sector.
The agreement in the field of environment was signed with the Minister of Environment, Culture, and Technology Aminath Shauna, which aims to increase cooperation in waste management and renewable energy production. Furthermore, Minister Çavuşoğlu signed the agreement on cultural cooperation with the Minister of State for Arts, Culture, and Heritage Mohamed Thoriq.
With the signing of the agreement, Maldives will be assisted in the revival and promotion of Maldivian culture and traditions as well as the promotion of Maldivian handicrafts in Turkey.