Dačic: Serbia and the Maldives wish even better mutual relations

At the press conference held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the signed agreement, Dačić pointed out that Minister Shahid's visit was the first visit paid by a high-ranking official of the Maldives after 15 years. However, Minister Dačić reminded that Shahid visited Belgrade on anniversary of the Non-Aligned Movement, as the president of the UN General Assembly.

"We have had good relations during the non-aligned period, but we neglected them a little. Last year we had a trade exchange of 460,000 dollars. The plan for political consultations between the two ministries is an introduction to the fulfilment of mutual desire to develop relations. President Vučić sent an invitation to the President of the Maldives to visit Serbia, and our wish is for it to happen in the first half of next year," said Dačić.

Minister Dačić stated that he and his colleague from the Maldives discussed about an agreement on cooperation in the field of sports, according to which 25 young athletes from the Maldives would enjoy a free stay at a sports camp in Serbia, as well as about an agreement in the field of education that is suitable for students from the Maldives.

"We have also discussed the visa regime. Shahid told me that 5,000 of our people visit the Maldives every year and they get visas at the airport. However, when someone from the Maldives needs to come to Serbia, they have to go to our embassy in India, which takes four hours of flight. Our visa policy must be harmonized with the EU, but I do not think that the Maldives with 500,000 inhabitants would represent a problem for the EU," Dačic pointed out.

He added that fishing and tourism were developed in the Maldives, and that Serbia was interested in selling food products to that country.

"Politically, they respect the universal principle of territorial integrity, which is why I especially appreciate our friends and that is why I say that we should develop the best possible cooperation with the Maldives. They are friendly country," Dačic highlighted. Minister Shahid stated that the meeting with his colleague minister Dačić was a big step in improving diplomatic relations between the two countries and that it would give a new impetus to cooperation.

He said that the President of the Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, had accepted the invitation to visit Serbia and that the date of the visit had yet to be determined.

"I am committed to cooperation with the Government of Serbia in order to raise this cooperation to a higher level. Minister Dačić had a full understanding of visa liberalization and I am very grateful for the offer presented to the athletes from the Maldives, for whom this would mean a lot," said Shahid. He thanked the Government of Serbia for the support given him while he chaired the UN General Assembly, and pointed out that he was glad to see Serbia progressing in all areas of social and economic life.

Source: Tanjug

Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs