EU pledges €6.5m to strengthen Maldives’ blue economy

The European Union (EU) and Maldives signed a financial agreement on Sunday, to allocate €6.5 million in funds to strengthen the island nation’s blue economy.

The agreement was signed during a meeting between Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer and Paola Pampaloni, the Deputy Managing Director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the European External Action Service.

The meeting, held at the Foreign Ministry, began with Zameer and Pampaloni reflecting on the significant developments that have been brought forward through the cooperation between the Maldives and the EU.

The Foreign Ministry said that in recent years, the Maldives has seen significant progress in climate change resilience, judicial reform, and counterterrorism as a direct result of collaboration with the EU.

Zameer expressed his gratitude to the EU for the comprehensive support initiatives offered for the country’s economy and contributions for climate resilient socioeconomic development in the Maldives, including the €6.5 million financial agreement.

Zameer also highlighted the interest of the Maldivian government in being included in the list of countries exempt from Schengen visa requirements.

Zameer was accompanied at the meeting by Foreign Secretary Fathimath Inaya, Secretary Bilateral Dr. Hala Hameed, Joint Secretary Shiuneen Rasheed, Senior Under Secretary Hassan Hussain Shihab, Senior Political Director Ahmed Haanee Naeem and Chief Desk Officer, Aminath Shaistha Hamdan Zaki.

Pampaloni is visiting the Maldives to co-chair the fifth Maldives–EU senior officials meeting.