The Non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland, Brian McElduff, presented his Letter of Credence to President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, this morning, at the President’s Office.
At the ceremony, the President congratulated Ambassador McElduff on the commencement of his term as the first Ambassador of Ireland to the Maldives.
During the call, the President noted that the Maldives and Ireland have enjoyed 18 years of bilateral relations, to be marked on 7 December this year. He remarked that the Maldives attaches utmost importance to its relations with Ireland and conveyed appreciation to Ireland for the continued support and cooperation extended to the Maldives. Discussions then focused on the economic transformation agenda pioneered by the Government of Maldives as well as the Government’s unwavering commitment to uphold the rule of law in the Maldives. The President expressed interest to see more Irish investors in the Maldives and further collaboration in the field of education. He also noted that the Maldives and Ireland share many areas in common and remarked that both countries should continue working together to strengthen existing relations.
The Ambassador concurred with the President that Ireland and the Maldives do indeed share mutual areas of interest. He noted that Ireland would like to see more Maldivian students seeking education opportunities in Ireland and discussed closer cooperation in the area of aviation. The Ambassador further highlighted on enhancing trade relations between Ireland and the Maldives, and expressed interest in bringing more investors to the Maldives.
The President was accompanied at the call by the Minister of State for Foreign Relations at the President’s Office, Mohamed Naseer and the Foreign Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed.