Egypt and the Maldives signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a bilateral mechanism for political consultations, to strengthen relations and coordinate positions on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
The agreement was signed in Cairo following talks between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Khaleel, who is visiting Egypt to enhance cooperation in political and economic fields.
According to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, the MoU sets a framework for regular consultations between the two foreign ministries to bolster coordination across political, economic, and cultural domains.
During the meeting, Abdelatty affirmed Egypt’s keenness to expand cooperation with the Maldives in the economic, tourism, and cultural sectors, in line with both countries’ development priorities. He also reviewed Egypt’s vision for boosting tourism flows between the two nations.
The ministers discussed collaboration in education, training, and capacity-building, including increasing scholarships offered by Al-Azhar and Egyptian universities to Maldivian students, and promoting cultural and artistic exchanges to strengthen people-to-people ties.
On regional developments, Abdelatty briefed Khaleel on the outcomes of the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Summit held on 13 October and Egypt’s efforts, in coordination with the United States and regional partners, to implement the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
He underlined the importance of consolidating stability in Gaza. He outlined Egypt’s vision for post-war arrangements, including security, governance, humanitarian access, and preparations for the Cairo Reconstruction and Early Recovery Conference scheduled for November.
Khaleel expressed his country’s appreciation for its longstanding relations with Egypt and its desire to benefit from Egyptian expertise in sustainable development, renewable energy, tourism, and education.
Source: Al-Ahram Online
