- President Dr Mohamed Muizzu received credentials from eight new non-resident foreign envoys at separate ceremonies held Thursday at the President's Office.
- Discussions with envoys from Portugal, Bhutan, Canada, Austria, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Turkmenistan and Laos covered investment, tourism, climate action, trade and cooperation.
- Austria holds the longest-standing diplomatic ties with the Maldives since 1978, and each envoy was welcomed with a traditional Haiykolhu procession.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has received the credentials of eight new foreign envoys, with discussions covering investment, tourism, climate action, trade and technical cooperation across several regions.
The envoys representing Portugal, Bhutan, Canada, Austria, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Turkmenistan and Laos presented their credentials at separate ceremonies held at the President’s Office on Thursday.
Portugal’s Non-Resident Ambassador João Manuel Mendes Ribeiro de Almeida discussed coordinated climate action, tourism promotion and multilateral cooperation with the President. The Maldives and Portugal established diplomatic relations in 1995.
During his meeting with Bhutan’s Non-Resident Ambassador Dasho Karma Hamu Dorjee, President Muizzu explored opportunities for tourism cooperation and the exchange of hospitality expertise. Diplomatic relations between the two countries date back to 1984.
Climate change adaptation featured prominently in discussions with Canada’s Non-Resident High Commissioner Isabelle Marie Catherine Martin. The two sides also considered cooperation involving seaplanes, women and youth empowerment, gender equality and multilateral engagement. Maldives-Canada diplomatic relations were established in 1981.
President Muizzu and Austria’s Non-Resident Ambassador Dr Robert Zischg discussed tourism, climate action, fisheries cooperation and scholarship opportunities in diplomatic training. Austria and the Maldives have maintained diplomatic relations since 1978, the longest-standing relationship among the eight countries represented at the ceremonies.
Talks with Burkina Faso’s Non-Resident Ambassador Dr Désiré Boniface Some centred on development cooperation, tourism, infrastructure and fisheries. The Maldives established diplomatic relations with Burkina Faso in 2011.
Ghana’s High Commissioner Professor Kwasi Obiri-Danso discussed expanding relations through trade, tourism and technical cooperation, alongside closer engagement on regional and international platforms. Diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Ghana were established in 1989.
Economic development, investment and connectivity were among the areas discussed with Turkmenistan’s Non-Resident Ambassador Shalar Geldynazarov. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992.
Meanwhile, President Muizzu and Laos’ Non-Resident Ambassador Vithaya Xayavong considered new avenues for bilateral cooperation. Diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Laos date back to 2012.
Each envoy was escorted to the President’s Office in a traditional Haiykolhu procession accompanied by the Maldives National Defence Force Drum and Trumpet Band.
