The Maldives and the government of Seychelles have signed agreements to initiate aviation cooperation and waive on-arrival visas for travelers.
The two governments have signed four key agreements on Monday, June 12, amid the ongoing official visit by Seychelles President Wavel Ramkalawan.
Announcing the signing of the agreements, the Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid tweeted that under the newly signed Air Services Agreement, direct air transportation will be launched between the Maldives and Seychelles.
“The Air Services Agreement signed between the Maldives and Seychelles today, will allow direct flights between the Maldives and Seychelles, improve connectivity and increase people-to-people ties [between Maldives and Seychelles] and boost tourist arrivals,” Shahid tweeted.
In addition to the Air Services Agreement, the Maldives and the government of Seychelles have signed a visa waiver agreement that allows Maldivian passport holders to travel to Seychelles for a period of 30 days without a prior visa.
“It will increase people-to-people contact, trade and commerce, and bilateral cooperation between the two countries,” the Minister added.
The two countries also signed on the renewal of the protocol between the Maldives and Seychelles on Cooperation to Combat Transnational Organized Crime and other Maritime Security and Safety Threats.
Minister Shahid highlighted the importance of the agreements as a significant step towards strengthening collaboration and joint efforts for regional security and safety. He reiterated the Maldivian government's commitment to safeguarding the shared maritime interests between the Maldives and Seychelles.
The countries also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on youth development cooperation. Under the agreement, Seychelles and the Maldives will work together to foster long-term collaboration in youth empowerment and skills development between the two countries.
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