Maldives’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdulla Khaleel, held high-level talks with Malta’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Dr Ian Borg, during an official visit aimed at strengthening ties between the two island nations.
The meeting took place at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in Valletta, where both ministers discussed a broad range of bilateral and multilateral issues. Despite being separated by distance, the ministers highlighted the close parallels between Maldives and Malta as small island states facing shared challenges, particularly in the context of climate vulnerability and sustainable development.
Describing the visit as a meaningful step toward deepening engagement, Minister Khaleel and Deputy Prime Minister Borg underscored the importance of enhanced cooperation and knowledge sharing. The two sides expressed a strong commitment to working together on key priorities such as environmental conservation, clean energy transition, and resilience-building in the face of global economic shifts.
According to the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the talks also focused on expanding trade and investment opportunities between the countries. Both ministers expressed interest in encouraging cross-border partnerships, particularly in tourism, fisheries, and education sectors—areas seen as potential drivers of inclusive economic growth.
They also acknowledged the value of strengthening people-to-people exchanges and fostering cultural and educational collaboration to further cement bilateral relations.
In addition to the meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Borg, Minister Khaleel is expected to engage with other senior members of Malta’s cabinet during his visit. He is accompanied by Foreign Ministry Secretary Dr Hala Hameed and Senior Under Secretary Hassan Hussain Shihaab.
The visit marks a renewed diplomatic effort by the Maldives to build strategic partnerships with like-minded nations, particularly those sharing common development goals and environmental concerns.
