Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdulla Khaleel is currently in Türkiye for the fourth edition of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF), where he has engaged in a series of high-level meetings aimed at strengthening the Maldives’ bilateral ties and multilateral cooperation.
At the invitation of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Dr Khaleel’s visit spans from 11–13 April and includes discussions with senior officials from both Türkiye and other friendly nations.
As part of his bilateral engagements, Dr Khaleel met with Türkiye’s Minister of Trade, Prof Dr Ömer Bolat, where both sides shared perspectives on enhancing trade and economic relations. In a separate meeting with Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, the focus was on advancing cooperation in the field of tourism—a sector central to the Maldivian economy.
The Minister also held a series of meetings on the sidelines of the forum. In a notable exchange with Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó, both ministers reviewed the progress of Maldives–Hungary relations and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in the years ahead.
Further strengthening Maldives’ international ties, Dr Khaleel met with the Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan to discuss recent bilateral consultations and explore avenues for expanded economic cooperation. He also held talks with the Foreign Minister of The Gambia, Dr Mamadou Tangara, focusing on enhancing Maldives–Gambia relations and cooperation in multilateral settings.
The Maldives’ partnerships with Angola and Ghana were also in the spotlight. Discussions with Angola’s Minister for External Relations, Téte António, centred on strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation, while the meeting with Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, covered climate resilience, sustainable tourism, and trade.
In addition to these diplomatic exchanges, Dr Khaleel participated in a panel discussion titled “Geostrategic Dynamics in the Asia-Pacific,” reflecting the Maldives’ interest in broader regional issues beyond the Indian Ocean.
Dr Khaleel’s engagements at ADF 2025 underscore the Maldives’ growing role in international diplomacy, with a clear focus on fostering economic partnerships, tourism development, and multilateral collaboration.
