The European Union (EU) and the Maldives have initiated negotiations to facilitate €6.5 million (MVR 1 billion) in grant aid to the nation.
“Senior Officials of @MoEnvmv [Ministry of Climate Change, Environment and Energy] met with the European Union delegation to the Maldives & ICUN [International Union for Conservation of Nature] to discuss the initiation of a new five-year grant project valued at 6.5 million euros. Discussions centred on tackling issues related to biodiversity, waste management & protected areas,” the Ministry confirmed in a post to social media.
While the EU grant is expected to be used over the next five years, the three issues being targeted—waste management especially— have posed significant challenges to the Maldives.
The fifth meeting of a series of consultations between senior EU officials and the current administration was held in Malé on 2 June. Issues on the agenda included judicial reforms, security-related issues, democratic reforms and climate change.