Male, Maldives (CU)_ President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has announced plans to establish a Maldivian embassy in South Africa. During the meeting between President Solih and Sandile Edwin Schalk, the recently appointed Non-Resident High Commissioner of South Africa to the Maldives, the plans were discussed. President Solih informed the high commissioner that the Maldives is committed to enhancing bilateral and multilateral collaboration between the two nations. Accordingly, echoing President Solih’s remarks, the high commissioner also underlined his willingness to engage with the Maldives on international fronts.
The president said that the Maldives is eager to have a high commission in Pretoria, South Africa. According to him, it would be the first Maldivian High Commission to be built on the African continent and that it would highlight the strong relationship between the two countries. He also expressed hopes that the inauguration of the office would expand the Maldives’ reach. The president and the high commissioner continued further discussions on strengthening tourism, infrastructural development, and increased cooperation in international forums.
In addition to his meeting with President Solih, High Commissioner Schalk also held a meeting with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel. During the meeting organized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State Minister Khaleel greeted High Commissioner Schalk and congratulated him on his credentials as Non-Resident High Commissioner of South Africa to the Maldives. State Minister Khaleel and Ambassador Schalk discussed views on further strengthening the bilateral ties and expanding collaboration and exchanges between the two nations, with a special focus on enhancing Maldives and South Africa’s long standing affinity.
High Commissioner Schalk reaffirmed his commitment to cooperate closely with the Maldives government with a special focus on areas of common interest, such as tourism, commerce, and education. The Maldives and South Africa established diplomatic relations on July 27, 1994.
