President Muizzu returns to Male’ after concluding Estonia visit

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has returned to Male’ after concluding his official visit to Estonia at the invitation of his Estonian counterpart Dr. Alar Karis.

This landmark visit is the first official trip to Estonia by a Maldivian President.

Upon his arrival, the Government of Estonia hosted an Official Welcoming Ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Kadriorg on the first day of the Maldivian President’s visit. During the ceremony, President Muizzu and President Karis reviewed the Guard of Honour and then posed for a commemorative photograph. Afterward, the two leaders held a private meeting to discuss potential areas for collaboration and ways to strengthen bilateral ties.

Throughout his visit, President Muizzu engaged in productive discussions with key Estonian figures, including the President, the Speaker of Parliament, Ministers, the Mayor of Tartu, academic representatives, and leaders of prominent institutions. These discussions centered on exploring opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships. Estonia's government and other organizations expressed their willingness to collaborate with the Maldives.

As a result of the visit, three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed:

1. MoU between the governments of the Maldives and Estonia focusing on knowledge exchange and cooperation in climate change, environment, and energy.
2. MoU between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives and Estonia on political consultations.
3. MoU between the Ministry of Homeland Security and Technology of the Maldives and the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs of Estonia.

During the trip, President Muizzu toured various significant cultural and institutional sites in Estonia, including the e-Estonia Briefing Centre, PoCo Pop and Contemporary Art Museum, Tartu Town Hall, University of Tartu, the Estonian Biobank, the Estonian National Museum (ERM), and Greenergy Data Centers. These visits provided insights into the operations of these institutions and opened discussions for potential collaborations.

According to the President’s Office, the visit has played a pivotal role in advancing the Maldives' digital transformation as envisioned by President Muizzu. It has also bolstered efforts to enhance climate resilience and strengthened the commitment of both nations to collaborate in mutually beneficial areas, including at multilateral forums. Throughout his presidency, President Muizzu has made international partnerships a priority to promote the Maldives' digital and sustainable development.