The third session of the Maldives-Sri Lanka Joint Commission was held on Thursday morning.

The session was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and was headed by Foreign Minister, Dr. Mohamed Asim and Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister, Mangala Samaraweera.

“The Joint Commission deliberated on a wide array of issues of mutual importance to both countries, including trade and economic cooperation, education and social protection, culture and tourism, fisheries and health cooperation,” said the Ministry.

It further noted that the discussions also focused on “consular and community issues, human resource development and cooperation between the two foreign ministries.”

Both parties agreed that the Joint Commission will be held biennially, with its next session scheduled for 2019. The next session is to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Samaraweera arrived in the Maldives on Wednesday, on a two-day official visit.

Meeting between both FMs

Minister Samaraweera met with FM Asim on Thursday morning, prior to the third session of the Maldives-Sri Lanka Joint Commission, at the Foreign Ministry.

According to the Ministry, both parties discussed "on ways of further strengthening and enhancing the strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries."

Minister Asim highlighted "the importance of regular consultations between the two countries and expressed appreciation to the Government of Sri Lanka, for their continued support to the Maldives," said the Ministry.

FM Samaraweera calls on President Yameen

The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister paid a courtesy call on President Abdulla Yameen, at the President's Office, on Thursday afternoon.

During the call, President Yameen "highlighted the excellent relations between the Maldives and Sri Lanka, and stated that the Maldives attaches high importance to Sri Lanka, as it is one of the closest partners of the Maldives."

"There is a potential for greater cooperation in the fields of health and education," the President highlighted.

Minister Samaraweera "conveyed his gratitude for the collaborative environment the Maldives has always offered," said the Ministry, adding that he "commended" President Yameen's leadership "for the impressive economic development of the Maldives."

FM Asim, the Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to Sri Lanka, Zahiya Zareer and the Minister of State at the President’s Office, Mohamed Naseer accompanied the President at the call. Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Maldives, Major General (Rtd) A.B. Thoradeniya and Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Ranjith Uyangoda took part in the meeting as well.

Ex-President Nasheed on the Maldives - Sri Lanka Joint Commission

In a tweet sent out via his official twitter account on Thursday afternoon, former President, and leader of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) said that the Joint Commission "must continue to work on cultural ties, in particular Dhivehi-Singhala language links." 

The jailed former President is currently in Sri Lanka, where he has been holding a number of high-level meetings, with both senior MDP officials as well as foreign diplomats.