Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam has extended greetings to the government and people of San Marino as the European microstate marks its Foundation Day.
In a message addressed to San Marino’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Political Affairs, International Economic Cooperation and Digital Transition, Luca Beccari, Minister Iruthisham conveyed congratulations on behalf of the Maldivian government, the people of the Maldives and herself.
The Foreign Minister also expressed the Maldives’ interest in strengthening relations with San Marino, saying she looked forward to working closely with Beccari to expand cooperation between the two countries in the years ahead.
San Marino celebrates its Foundation Day on September 3, commemorating the traditional founding of the republic in 301 AD by Saint Marinus.
Located within the Italian peninsula and surrounded entirely by Italy, San Marino is one of the world’s smallest independent states. It is also widely regarded as the world’s oldest surviving republic, with a political tradition stretching back more than 1,700 years.
Despite their geographical distance, the Maldives and San Marino share several characteristics as small states, including relatively small populations and an interest in strengthening their international engagement through bilateral and multilateral cooperation.
Both countries are members of the United Nations, providing avenues for engagement on issues affecting smaller states and the wider international community.
For the Maldives, relations with smaller nations form part of its broader diplomatic approach of maintaining international partnerships across different regions while advocating for issues of particular importance to small states.
As a low-lying island nation, the Maldives has also consistently used international platforms to highlight climate change, environmental vulnerability and sustainable development, areas where cooperation among small states can play an important role in building collective international support.
Minister Iruthisham’s message on San Marino’s Foundation Day reaffirmed the Maldives’ willingness to further develop bilateral cooperation and strengthen ties between the two countries.
She concluded by extending her best wishes to Beccari, the San Marino government and its people on the national occasion.
