Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, Abdulla Shahid has met with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the UK, The Rt. Hon. James Cleverly, this morning.
During his meeting, Minister Shahid congratulated Foreign Secretary on his reappointment and reassured the Government of Maldives interest to continue working with the UK on areas of mutual interest. Both Minister Shahid and Secretary Cleverly also reviewed the existing bilateral portfolio between the two countries and explored avenues to further enhance cooperation especially in the areas of trade and tourism. Minister Shahid and the Foreign Secretary discussed the significance of enhancing trade and investment between the two countries, especially on obtaining duty free access to the UK, for fish and fish products from the Maldives.
Minister Shahid also met with the Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia and the United Nations at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for Asia, Energy, Climate and Environment, The Rt. Hon. Lord Goldsmith and Minister for Development at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, The Rt. Hon. Andrew Mitchell, MP, today. During the meetings, Minister Shahid highlighted on the longstanding relations between the Maldives and the UK, and reiterated the Government of Maldives interest to further enhance cooperation both bilaterally and in the multilateral sphere.
Minister Shahid also met with the Deputy Chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC), Sir Hugo Swire, members of the parliament and is scheduled to deliver a lecture at the Oxford Union Society later this visit.
Minister Shahid was accompanied by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel, High Commissioner of Maldives to UK Dr. Farahanaz Faizal, Joint Secretary Shiuneen Rasheed and Counsellor at the High Commission of Maldives in UK Moosa Yameen Shahid.
