Maldives has signed agreements with Turkey on Sunday to establish a ministerial level Joint Economic Commission to assist Maldives in five key areas.
Foreign Minister of Turkey Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu represented Turkey while signing these agreements. He arrived to Maldives on an official visit on Friday at the invitation of Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid. This is the first visit by a Turkish foreign Minister to Maldives since diplomatic relations was established between the two nations 42 years ago.
At a ceremony held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday morning, agreements were signed in promoting trade, culture, heritage, environment, agriculture and foreign service. The ministers in charge of the relevant fields signed the agreements on behalf of Maldives.
- Trade -
The agreement relating to promoting trade states that a Joint Economic Commission will be formed, in addition to increasing Turkish exhibitions, fairs, and investments in Maldives.
- Environment -
Assistance will be provided to Maldives in waste management, renewable energy, combating climate change, and eliminating hazardous waste, such as chemicals.
- Foreign Service -
Joint foreign training and educational programs to be conducted by Maldivian Foreign Service Institute and Turkish Diplomacy Academy.
- Agriculture -
Assistance will be provided to provide training, skills training and business expansion to farmers.
- Culture and Heritage -
Maldivian products and work will be introduced to the Turkish market, along with the development of art such as music, visual arts and performing arts.
The Turkish Foreign Minister also met with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Sunday and discussed ways to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.
The Turkish government has donated 20,000 doses of the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine to the Maldives. An agreement will also be signed to make it possible for Maldivians to travel to Turkey without a visa.