Three newly appointed foreign envoys to the Maldives have presented their credentials to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at a ceremony held yesterday morning at the President’s Office.
Ambassador of Mexico, Federico Salas Lofte
The new Ambassador of the United Mexican States designated to the Maldives, His Excellency Federico Salas Lofte has presented his credentials to the president.
Speaking at the call following the credentials ceremony, President Solih congratulated the Ambassador on the commencement of his term. The President had highlighted the Government’s efforts to manage the COVID-19 pandemic, including the accelerated vaccination programme that is currently ongoing.
The President noted that the tourist arrivals during the last holiday season increased following the reopening of borders in July last year, and expressed hope for strengthening cooperation in the tourism sector between the Maldives and Mexico. The Ambassador noted that many Mexicans are looking forward to travelling to the Maldives and that a number of Mexicans are employed in the tourism sector in the Maldives in managerial posts and as chefs.
Adding that the Maldives was the first country to phase out Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), the President further expressed confidence to engage with Mexico in the upcoming COP26 to be held in Glasgow, United Kingdom this year, to identify mutually beneficial solutions to climate change and other environmental crises. The President and Ambassador discussed bilateral collaboration to pursue green energy products and explored the possibility of engaging Mexican private companies in the field of blue economy.
The call concluded with both the President and the Ambassador reiterating their common commitment to elevate the existing relationship between the Maldives and Mexico on common issues of interest in the coming years.
Maldives and Mexico established diplomatic relations on 15 November, 1975.
High Commissioner of Rwanda, Jacqueline Mukangira
High Commissioner of the Republic of Rwanda to the Republic of Maldives, Her Excellency, Jacqueline Mukangira, also presented her credentials to the president.
Following the credentials ceremony, the President and new High Commissioner discussed mutual areas of cooperation.
Congratulating the High Commissioner on her appointment, President Solih conveyed his thanks to the Rwandan Government for their support towards the Maldives candidature during the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) elections, in June earlier this year. The President expressed confidence that the strong ties between the Maldives and Rwanda would continue to prosper under her tenure.
High Commissioner Mukangira conveyed warm greetings to President Solih on behalf of the President of the Republic of Rwanda, His Excellency President Paul Kagame. She congratulated the Maldives for their landslide win in the UNGA elections, and assured that Rwanda will continue to support the Maldives in the international arena. She stated that Rwanda looks forward to boost bilateral ties between the two republics.
Ending the call, President Solih relayed his well wishes to His Excellency President Paul Kagame. Both the President and High Commissioner committed to working together to further strengthen the bilateral relationship between Rwanda and the Maldives.
Ambassador-Designate of Germany, Holger Lothar Seubert
Lastly, the new Ambassador-Designate of the Republic of Germany, His Excellency Mr Holger Lothar Seubert, also presented his credentials to President Solih yesterday.
Speaking to the Ambassador following the ceremony, the President congratulated Ambassador Seubert on his ambassadorial appointment and conveyed his hope that the existing bilateral relations of Maldives and Germany would further strengthen in days to come.
The President stated that Germany was an important bilateral partner to Maldives and thanked the German government for the development cooperation rendered throughout the years.
During the call, the President and the new Ambassador discussed ways to enhance existing relations between Maldives and Germany, emphasizing cooperation on areas relating to multilateral relations, fisheries, economy, health and education sectors.
President Solih and Ambassador Seubert also discussed the current Covid-19 situation in both countries. President stated that the aim of the Maldivian government is to fully vaccinate everyone residing in the Maldives, despite the nationality.
Ambassador Seubert expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome, and stated that it is a privilege to serve as the Ambassador of Germany to the Maldives. He further expressed that he will remain committed to ensuring that the positive trajectory of relations between Maldives and Germany will remain intact and flourish further during his tenure.
