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Minister Shahid meets Finnish Foreign Minister, signs Air Service Agreement

Ahmed Aiham
29 November 2019, MVT 19:57
Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, met with Foreign Minister of Finland Pekka Haavisto (R). PHOTO: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Ahmed Aiham
29 November 2019, MVT 19:57

Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid on Friday, held a meeting with his Finnish counterpart Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, during which they confirmed an Air Service Agreement between Maldives and Finland.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the agreement enables commercial air transport between the two countries, which aims to enhance people to people contact and broaden economic cooperation.

During the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, both Ministers discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas, including economic and trade cooperation, education, climate change and counter-terrorism.

Noting Finland’s current role as President of the EU Council, Shahid acknowledged EU's "pivotal role" in reviving democracy in Maldives. Moreover, he commended Haavisto and Finnish government for international recognition in the development of a symbolic educational model.

The minister also requested Finland to support the Maldives’s bid to obtain visa-free access for Maldivians travelling to EU countries and the exemption of tax for the export of Maldivian tuna to the EU market.

Shahid is accompanied by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel, Non-Resident Ambassador of Maldives to Finland Ahmed Latheef, Minister of State for Economic Development Mohamed Iaad Hameed, and Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shiuneen Rasheed.

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