The Maldives and Japan on Monday concluded the 4th Round of Japan-Maldives Policy Dialogue.
The Maldivian delegation, led by Ahmed Khaleel, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and the Japanese delegation, led by Arima Yutaka, Director-General, Southeast and Southwest Asian Department, engaged in productive discussions to strengthen the already close relations between the two countries.
The Dialogue held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives was focused on enhancing economic and development cooperation, trade and investment, cultural exchanges, and regional and maritime cooperation.
Both nations expressed their commitment to working closely together to foster mutual growth and development, discussing potential avenues for collaboration and joint efforts, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry. In addition, the two countries addressed pressing regional and global concerns, emphasizing the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. They explored opportunities for joint initiatives and partnerships to tackle these challenges, including in a free and open Indian Ocean region.
The dialogue also highlighted the importance of cultural exchange and educational cooperation, recognising that these interactions deepen mutual understanding and strengthen the bond between the two nations. Both parties agreed to promote and support more frequent engagements in the fields of arts, culture, sports, and education.
The successful conclusion of the fourth round of the Maldives-Japan Policy Dialogue demonstrates the commitment of both nations to further enhance their bilateral relations and work together to address shared challenges, the statement said, adding that the Policy Dialogue serves as a platform between the Maldives and Japan to discuss important bilateral, regional and multilateral issues.
The last Policy Dialogue was held virtually on 4 March 2021.