The Maldives and Azerbaijan have signed two significant bilateral agreements to deepen cooperation between the two nations. The signing ceremony took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, where Maldives’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, met with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Minister Jayhun Bayramov, on the sidelines of the UNFCCC Conference.
The first agreement, titled the “Agreement on Mutual Exemption of Visa Requirement for Holders of Diplomatic, Service and Official Passports,” is set to ease travel between the two countries. Once implemented, the visa exemption will allow Maldivians with valid Diplomatic and Official passports to enter, transit through, and stay in Azerbaijan for up to 90 days. This agreement marks a step towards potential visa exemptions for all Maldivians, with both governments expressing a willingness to explore further easing of travel restrictions.
The second agreement, a “Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism,” focuses on fostering mutual tourism development. The agreement acknowledges the role of tourism in enhancing economic, cultural, and social ties between the Maldives and Azerbaijan, aiming to boost collaborative efforts in this sector.
During the discussions, Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel emphasised the close friendship between the two nations and expressed a commitment to further strengthening ties. He highlighted that these agreements would enhance people-to-people contact, build cultural connections, and promote tourism cooperation for the mutual benefit of both countries. Dr. Khaleel also reiterated the Maldives’ dedication to working closely with Azerbaijan on multilateral platforms.
These agreements mark a positive step in the ongoing efforts to expand diplomatic and economic relations between the Maldives and Azerbaijan, setting the stage for future collaborations in various sectors.
