Ambassadors of EU, 3 other countries present credentials to President

The Ambassadors and High Commissioners of the European Union (EU) and three other countries presented their credentials to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Monday.

This include Ambassadors from Angola, Switzerland, and the EU, as well as the High Commissioner of New Zealand.

All the representatives were escorted to the President's Office from the Republic Square in a cultural procession called "Haiykolhu" with the MNDF Drum and Trumpet Band.

The new Ambassadors and High commissioners to the Maldives are:

• Celement Pedro Francisco, Ambassador of Angola
• Maria Carmen Moreno Raymundo, Ambassador of European Union (EU)
• Dr. Siri Walt, Ambassador of Swiss Confederation
• David Pine, High Commissioner of New Zealand

Following the presentation of credentials, President Muizzu noted that this is Angola's first non-resident Ambassador to the Maldives and expressed hope to strengthen bilateral relations, including trade and business cooperation between the two nations.

Diplomatic relations with Angola were established on November 10, 2020.

With the EU Ambassador, Muizzu discussed various sectors of cooperation, especially focusing on lowering tariffs on fishing exports after the Samoa agreement was signed.

The Maldives and the EU established diplomatic relations in 1983.

President Muizzu and the New Zealand High Commissioner discussed areas of mutual cooperation, including higher education and the expanding tourism sector, between both countries that established their diplomatic relations on October 10, 1974.

As for the Swiss Ambassador, Muizzu addressed enhancing bilateral relations and areas of cooperation, including in the tourism sector.

The Maldives and Switzerland established relations in 1981.

Ambassadors from the EU, Switzerland, and the New Zealand High Commissioner are all non-resident representatives and will reside in Colombo, Sri Lanka, while the Angolan Ambassador, also a non-resident one, will reside in New Delhi, India.