The European Union (EU) and the government of Maldives, on Friday, agreed to conduct annual meetings at senior officials' level to enhance cooperation.
The decision was finalised during a meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid and Vice-President of the European Commission and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini. The meeting was conducted as part of Foreign Minister Shahid's recent two-day official trip to Belgium.
The Maldives and the EU do not currently have a formal framework agreement. Therefore, previous consultations were held in the form of EU Policy Dialogues during which EU heads of mission accredited to Maldives engaged in annual policy discussions with the Maldivian government.
The decision to hold yearly meetings was made shortly after the EU lifted the framework for restrictive measures against Maldives, recognising the incumbent administration's commitment to consolidating democracy, ensuring good governance and strengthening the rule of law.