Maldives has hosted the Third Policy Dialogue between the Government of Maldives and the European Union (EU).
While speaking at the Dialogue Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Asim said that the partnership with the European Union is one that is greatly valued by the Maldives. Minister Asim thanked the EU and its member countries for the assistance and support it provides to the Maldives in multiple areas, including its contribution to the Maldives climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts, the ongoing assistance to strengthen the justice sector and for the close cooperation and support in the area of countering terrorism and violent extremism.
Minister Asim also added that the Maldives-EU Policy dialogue is a two-way conversation aiming to strengthen the existing ties of friendship and cooperation between the EU and Maldives on various fronts. He also stressed that it should also be a platform to exchange views on issues of common concern such as the growing trends of intolerance and islamophobia in Europe, the increasing anti-Muslim remarks in public discourse by far-right and even mainstream political leaders, and the marked increase in hate crimes throughout Europe.
Ambassadors and Heads of Missions from 9 EU member countries based in both Colombo and New Delhi attended the Dialogue. The EU Delegation was led by Tung-Lai Margue, Ambassador of the European Union to the Maldives. The Maldives Delegation was led by Dr. Mohamed Asim, Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mohamed Anil, the Attorney General, Aishath Azima Shakoor, Minister for Legal Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Shainee, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, and Thoriq Ibrahim, Minister of Environment and Energy also participated in the Dialogue. Representatives from the National Counter Terrorism Centre and Maldives Police Service also attended the Dialogue.
The Maldives-EU Policy Dialogue is an initiative taken by the Government of Maldives in 2015 to strengthen the existing ties of friendship and cooperation between the Maldives and the European Union.