Maldives Wins Prestigious Awards At World Travel Awards

DECEMBER 12, 2017

Maldives has won the prestigious position of World’s Leading Honeymoon Destination and World’s leading Dive Destination at the 24th annual World Travel Awards and Indian Ocean’s Best Spa Destination at the 3rd annual World Spa Awards held alongside the World Travel Awards Grand Finale.

The awards were received by Haris Mohamed, the Acting Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC), at the red carpet event that took place Saturday evening at the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay in Vietnam.

Maldives competed against other world-class destinations such as Thailand, Hawaii, Mauritius, Australia, Seychelles, the US and UAE for these titles. In addition to the destination awards, the Maldives tourism industry also won 10 prestigious awards in various categories during the event.

World Travel Awards is known as the Oscars of the travel industry and is recognised globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.

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Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Maldives pays a courtesy call on Foreign Secretary

December 10, 2017

HE, Mr. James Duaris, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Maldives met Foreign Secretary Ahmed Sareer today.

The dignitaries discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest and ways to further strengthen cooperation and ways to tackle issues such as climate change, counter-terrorism, and radicalization.They also exchanged views on ongoing economic and political developments in the country.

In the meeting, Mr. Dauris assured Foreign Secretary Sareer of his commitment to proactively engage with the Government and work towards strengthening ties between the two countries. He also expressed the need for both countries to closely coordinate on key international developments.

Foreign Secretary was accompanied by Joint Secretary, Ms. Fathimath Najwa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Dauris was accompanied by Mr. Ahmed Hamdhan, Political Officer British Embassy in Sri Lanka.

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Message by the Foreign Minister HE. Dr. Mohamed Asim on Human Rights Day

December 10, 2017

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. A declaration which was motivated by experiences of World War Two to dignify human life and which became the reality for the fundamental human rights across the globe.

In observing the Human Rights Day, we are encouraged by the achievements of all countries in contributing to the development of human rights, in implementing the principles enshrined in the Declaration itself and the conventions which followed.

Every Maldivian should take pride in the country’s achievements and its long standing commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, both at home and at the international arena. Our progress in the areas of empowerment of women, rights of the child, and education amongst others, have been commended on, and applauded for. In the past year alone we have passed legislations that have and will continue to contribute to the development of strengthening our human rights at home.

While, many of us are fearful of the situation around the globe with extremist movements, conflicts, climate change, intolerance and hatred, let us take a stronger step forward in standing up and in safeguarding the rights of all.

Let us reflect today, on the theme chosen by the United Nations “Stand Up 4 Human Rights” and continue our commitment in promoting and protecting human rights.

Source: http://www.foreign.gov.mv/

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 Government of Maldives and China signs twelve key agreements.

December 07, 2017

At a ceremony held at the Great Hall of People in Beijing, the government of  Maldives and China signed twelve key agreements.

The agreements signed  are as follows:

1. MoU between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Maldives on Cooperation within the Framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative

The agreement was signed by the Minister of Economic Development, H.E. Mohamed Saeed, and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, H.E. Wang Yi.

2. Free Trade Agreement between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Maldives 

The agreement was signed by the Minister of Economic Development, H.E. Mohamed Saeed and Minister of Commerce of China, H.E. Zhong Shan.

3. Agreement of Economic and Technological Cooperation between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Maldives 

The agreement was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr Mohamed Asim and Minister of Commerce of China, H.E. Zhong Shan.

4. MoU on Cooperation in Human Resource Development between the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives

The agreement was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr Mohamed Asim and Minister of Commerce of China, H.E. Zhong Shan.

5. Exchange Letter on the China-Aid-Micro-Grid Seawater Desalination Project Between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Maldives 

The letter was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr Mohamed Asim and Minister of Commerce of China, H.E. Zhong Shan.

6. Exchange Letter of Feasibility Study on the China-Aid Municipal Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling Project Between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Maldives 

The letter was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr Mohamed Asim and Minister of Commerce of China, H.E. Zhong Shan.

7. MoU between the National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Maldives on Health Cooperation

The agreement was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr Mohamed Asim and Minister of National Health and Family Planning Commission, H.E. Li Bin.

8. The Protocol on Establishment of Joint Ocean Observation Station between the State Oceanic Administration of the People’s Republic of China and the Ministry of Environment and Energy of the Republic of Maldives

The agreement was signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Dr Mohamed Asim and Administrator of State Oceanic Administration, Wang Hong.

9. MoU between China Banking Regulatory Commission and Maldives Monetary Authority

The agreement was signed by the Governor of Maldives Monetary Authority, Mr. Ahmed Naseer and the Chairman of China Banking Regulatory Commission Guo Shuqing.

10. MoU for International Cooperation Planning between Ministry of Economic Development of the Republic of Maldives and China Development Bank 

The agreement was signed by the Minister of Economic Development, H.E. Mohamed Saeed, and the Chairman of China Development Bank Hu Huaibang.

11. Framework Agreement on Cooperation in Relation to Joint Development of Airport Economic Zone Development in Hulhumale’, Republic of Maldives by and between Housing Development Corporation Limited and Beijing Urban Construction Group Corporation Limited

The agreement was signed by the Managing Director of Hulhumale Development Corporation, Mr. Mohamed Saiman, and Beijing Urban Construction Group (BUCG) of China.

12. Facility Agreement for “Design and Construction of Link Road Connecting Hulhule’ and Hulhumale’ Project” between Housing Development Corporation and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited.

The agreement was signed by the Managing Director of Hulhumale Development Corporation, Mr. Mohamed Saiman, and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China.

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Joint Press Communique between the Republic of Maldives and the People’s Republic of China

December8,2017

1.At the invitation of His Excellency Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, President of the Republic of Maldives, paid a State Visit to the People’s Republic of China from 6th to 9th December, 2017.

2.During the visit, His Excellency President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom held talks with His Excellency President Xi Jinping and met with Premier of the State Council His Excellency Mr. Li Keqiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress His Excellency Mr. Zhang Dejiang separately. In a warm and friendly atmosphere, leaders of the two countries had an in-depth exchange of views on strengthening traditional friendship and bilateral relationship, and reached broad consensus.

3.The Maldivian side warmly congratulated the Communist Party of China (CPC) on the successful conclusion of its 19th National Congress, and the confirmation of President Xi Jinping’s Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as an action guideline of CPC by the Congress. The Maldivian side expressed its confidence that under the guidance of CPC Central Committee with President Xi Jinping at the core, the Chinese people will move forward to achieving the two centenary goals and building China into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful.

4.The Chinese side reiterated to deepen relations with the Maldives and other neighboring countries in accordance with the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and principles of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and the policy of forging friendship and partnership with its neighbors, to build a community with a shared future for mankind and create a bright tomorrow for all.

5.The two sides agreed that ever since the establishment of diplomatic relationship 45 years ago, the two countries have been adhering to the principles of equality, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, which has resulted to the remarkable development of the bilateral relationship. Viewing from strategic and long-term perspective, the two sides agreed to work towards elevating the existing China-Maldives Future-Oriented All-round Friendly and Cooperative Partnership to a new level.

6.The two sides reiterated their mutual understanding and support for each other on issues of core interests. The Chinese side adheres to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, supports Maldives’ independent choice of development path which suits its domestic features and wishes Maldives economic and social development greater success. The Maldivian side reaffirmed its unwavering respect to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China and reiterated its firm commitment to uphold its One China Policy, supports China’s position on Taiwan and Tibet and the efforts by the Chinese Government to realize national reunification.

7.The two sides held that the State Visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Maldives in September 2014 was a milestone to China-Maldives relationship. Governments of the two countries will make common efforts to continue carrying out the consensus reached by the two Presidents and promote exchanges and cooperation in all areas, for the well-being of the two peoples.

8.The two sides agreed to maintain the momentum of high-level exchanges, deepen political mutual trust, expand exchanges at different levels between the two governments, legislative and judicial bodies, procuratorate authorities and parties, and increase dialogues on governance and anti-corruption.

9.The Maldivian side reiterated its support for and participation in the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road proposed by China. The two sides will deepen pragmatic cooperation under framework of the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative and enhance connectivity.

10.The two sides exchanged views on promoting trade and investments. The Maldivian side agreed to facilitate investments by Chinese enterprises in the Maldives, while the Chinese side will encourage more competitive Chinese enterprises to invest in the Maldives and provide assistance within its capacity to Maldives’ social and economic development. The Chinese side invited the Maldives side to attend the China International Import Expo to be held in 2018 to which the Maldives side responded positively and expressed their wish to participate actively.

11.The Maldivian side appreciates the assistance and support by the Chinese side to the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge Project and the Expansion and Upgrading of Velana International Airport Project, the two most important flagship projects of the Government of the Maldives. The two sides agreed to ensure these projects be completed on time and in due quality.

12.The two sides held that the Free Trade Agreement Between the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Maldives signed during the visit was a milestone in the development of China-Maldives economic and trade relations, which will further energize bilateral economic and trade cooperation, and benefit the enterprises and the people of both countries.

13.The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation on a wide range of areas including in the fields of marine environment, fisheries and tourism. The inaugural meeting of China-Maldives Joint Committee on Marine Cooperation will be held in due time. Law enforcement and security authorities of the two countries will enhance exchanges and cooperation on anti-terrorism, anti-narcotics, personnel training, mutual visits and other areas. The Chinese side will continue to encourage Chinese citizens to travel to the Maldives, provide assistance to the Maldivian side in tourism promotion in China and encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in tourism industry of Maldives. The two sides agreed to make full use of the Joint Meeting Mechanism to ensure the safety of Chinese tourists in the Maldives.

14.The two sides congratulated the successful completion of the commemorative activities of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Maldives, and agreed to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation in such areas as defense, technology, culture, education, press, sports, health, youth, women, welfare and local communication. The two sides will enhance cooperation on human resource development. The Chinese side is ready to provide more Chinese language training opportunities to the Maldivian side, and will establish Chinese Culture Center and China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center in the Maldives. China welcomed the establishment of the Maldivian consulate in Kunming.

15.The two sides agreed to further strengthen coordination and cooperation in the United Nations and on other multilateral fora, and enhance cooperation on global issues including climate change. China is ready to support the Maldives on adapting to climate change under the framework of South-South cooperation. The Chinese side welcomed the important constructive role played by the Maldives as Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS). Both sides agreed to promote regional connectivity, development and prosperity. The Maldives supported China’s effort to enhance its relationship with the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

16.During the visit, the two sides signed cooperation documents covering areas such as Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative, free trade, economic and technological cooperation, human resource development, seawater desalination, solid waste treatment and recycling, health, meteorology and finance.

17.The two sides expressed their satisfaction on the outcomes achieved as a result of the State Visit to China by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, and agreed that the visit was of great importance to further development of China-Maldives Future-Oriented All-round Friendly and Cooperative Partnership. President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom expressed his appreciation to President Xi Jinping and the Government and the people of the People’s Republic of China for the warm hospitality.

 

Source: President’s Office

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