November 29, 2017
President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom today declared the passport card issued by the Maldives Immigration to be recognized as a valid identity document.
The passport card is currently the safest, most secured identity document used in the Maldives which cannot be duplicated.
The passport card will hence be recognized in all government institutions, hospitals, banks, and by other public service providers.
Source: President’s Office
November 28, 2017
Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohamed Asim and Ambassador of China to the Maldives, Mr. Zhang Lizhong co-chaired the Joint Meeting Mechanism this afternoon to address the safety of Chinese tourists travelling to the Maldives.
At the meeting, Minister Asim maintained that China being the most important market for the tourism industry in the Maldives, it is imperative that both countries exchanged ideas to ensure a safe environment for Chinese tourists travelling to the Maldives.
Minister Asim also pointed out that the Government is working closely with relevant industry stakeholders to ensure safety and security of all tourists in the Maldives.
During the meeting, Minister Asim also highlighted some important measures taken by the Government to identify potential threats concerning the safety and security of tourists and to effectively counter and mitigate these threats.
Ambassador Zhang Lizhong thanked the Government and relevant authorities for the coordination and cooperation extended in ensuring a safe environment to the Chinese tourists in the Maldives.
During the meeting, a consensus on the wide distribution of kind reminders for Chinese nationals in the Maldives was announced. Also, the new version of the kind reminders for Chinese nationals in the Maldives was jointly launched by Minister Asim and Ambassador Lizhong.
The Joint Meeting was attended by senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy of China in the Maldives, Ministry of Tourism, Maldives Immigration, Maldives Police Service, NDMC, MMPRC, MACL, MATI, representatives from tourist resorts, guest houses, various airlines, various travel agencies and Chinese companies undertaking projects in the Maldives.
The Meeting was held under the Memorandum of Understanding concluded between the Maldives and China during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Maldives in September 2014.
November 28, 2017
The Republic Of Korea Ambassador to the Maldives Mr. Chang Won-sam hosted a reception to commemorate 5o years of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Asim who was present at the reception as the chief guest, spoke about how the relationship between the two countries have grown over the last five decades, especially in the last couple of years due to various bilateral developments.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Asim also admired how the Republic Of Korea has progressed as a nation both socially and economically.
The Republic Of Korea has been contributing to the Maldives through various technical cooperation programs in areas such as fisheries and infrastructure, which constitutes a pivotal role in the Maldives economy.
The Korean Embassy also organized a cultural performance right after the reception at Alimas Carnival. The performance opened to the public will cover “Taekwondo demonstration” by Kukkiwon of Korea and “Boduberu performance” by “1438 Boduberu” group.
November 26, 2017
The visiting Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, H.E. Iwao Horii, paid a courtesy call on President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, this morning, at the President’s Office.
The President opened the talks with high esteem and regards conveyed to the Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Shinzo Abe. He thanked the Government of Japan for its pivotal role in the progress that the Maldives has attained in achieving its socio-economic development goals and priorities. While noting that the Maldives attaches high importance to its friendly ties with Japan, that has stood the test of time, the President conveyed congratulations to the Government and the people of Japan on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Highlighting on the past and present avenues of development cooperation, the President and the Vice-Minister focused discussions on expanding the tourism market in the Maldives for Japanese tourists, increasing trade and investment from Japan, strengthening counter-terrorism efforts bilaterally and multilaterally, fisheries development, and environmental protection, particularly with respect to climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. Also discussed were infrastructure development in waste-management, housing, as well as technical expertise from Japan in maritime safety and information technology. The President further expressed hopes to enhance bilateral cooperation on regional and international fronts of mutual concern.
The Vice-Minister conveyed greetings and good wishes of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and noted that it was an honour to visit the Maldives. He emphasised his parallel views on working closely to bolster existing ties for the common benefit of both countries and their peoples.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Mohamed Asim, the Minister of State for Foreign Relations at the President’s Office, H.E. Mohamed Naseer and the Secretary, Bilateral at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ahmed Khaleel were in attendance with the President at the call.
The Vice-Minister was accompanied at the call by the Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Maldives, H.E. Kazumi Endo, Director at the Southwest Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Yoshitake Shogo, and Executive Assistant to the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Ms. Yurina Nemoto.
Source: President’s Office
November 27, 2017
Under the Japanese Non-Project Grant Aid, the Government of Japan donated Disaster Reduction Equipment worth 1100 Million Japanese Yen, which is equivalent to approximately 9.9 Million USD, to the Government of Maldives today.
In a ceremony attended by dignitaries from both countries, the equipment was presented to H.E. Mr. Mohamed Zuhair, Minister of State for Defense and National Security, by H.E. Mr. Iwao Horii, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Government of Japan.
This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Japan has been one of the biggest bilateral development partners of the Maldives. The Government and the people of Japan have contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Maldives during the past five decades and continue to provide assistance that has now virtually reached all corners of the Maldivian archipelago.