Foreign Minister Mohamed Asim on Monday met with Mr. Gilles de Kerchove, the European Union Counter-Terrorism Coordinator.
During the meeting held in Brussels, Minister Asim briefed Mr. de Kerchove about the International Seminar on Counter terrorism held recently in Male’, Maldives from October 25-26, 2016. The two-day seminar was a great success as it brought together a number of academicians, government officials and civil society representatives from 13 countries, and contributed to the exchange of ideas, experiences, and networking to seek solutions to the common challenge of countering terrorism, the Foreign Ministry said.
Mr. de Kerchove, referred to the EU’s active role in the fight against the common threat of terrorism, and expressed his appreciation for the positive steps initiated by the Maldives Government and the readiness to engage with the EU in this very important area for both the EU and the Maldives.
The meeting was attended by Ahmed Shiaan, Ambassador of Maldives to Belgium and the European Union, Counsellor Fathimath Ghina, and EU Affairs Advisor Nektaria Margaroni at the Embassy of Maldives to Belgium and Mission to the EU in Brussels.
On Monday, Minister Asim also met with Ms. Anick Van Calster, Director General of Bilateral Affairs of the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Belgium.
During the meeting held at the Maldives Embassy in Brussels, Minister Asim informed Ms. Van Calster on the recent developments in Maldives in the areas of climate change, trade and tourism and efforts of the Government to promote sustainable development.
Ms. Van Calster shared Belgium’s interest in promoting trade, investment and tourism between the two countries.
She also expressed her appreciation for the recent appointment of an Honorary Consul of Belgium to Maldives. Ms. Van Calster emphasised this as a very welcome development which will no doubt further strengthen cooperation between Belgium and Maldives.
Minister Asim departed on his first official visit to Belgium on the 11th of this month.