Maldives have said it deeply values the longstanding and friendly relations with Italy. The statement was made during the courtesy call by the newly appointed Ambassador of Italy to Maldives Rita Giuliana Mannella on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
During the meeting, President Solih noted Maldives deeply values the longstanding and friendly relations between Italy and the Maldives and highlighted the large number of Italian tourists who have continued to visit Maldives for many years. The president further noted an increasing number of Maldivians have been visiting Italy in recent years, owing to the allure of Italy’s rich heritage and welcoming culture.
The president and ambassador further discussed strengthening cooperation between the two countries, on areas such as tourism cooperation and environmental responsibility. Both expressed the mutual positive acknowledgement of the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the University of Milano-Bicocca and hoped for increased cooperation on marine research and climate change issues.
Concluding the call, Ambassador Manella expressed the sense of privilege to be able to represent Italy to the Maldives, and emphasised her commitment to building on the friendly cooperation that have always marked relations with Italy.
Further, the ambassador called on Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed; exchanged views on further strengthening the existing relations and enhancing cooperation in different areas.