The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, officially opened the Embassy of Maldives in Türkiye today in a ceremonial event held at the Embassy premises in Ankara. This marks the first resident diplomatic presence of the Maldives in Türkiye.

A flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Embassy to mark this occasion, led by Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel, Minister of Culture and Tourism of Türkiye, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy and Ambassador of Maldives to Türkiye, Lieutenant General (Retd) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef. The Ceremony was also attended by Chairperson of the Maldives-Türkiye Interparliamentary Friendship Group, Honourable Dr. Ümmügülşhen Öztürk, senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, member of the business community, Turkish media, staff of the Embassy and the resident Maldivian community in Ankara.

The establishment of the Embassy signals a bold new era of reinvigorated and strengthened diplomatic ties between the Maldives and Türkiye. It is expected to bring forth greater cooperation and collaboration between the two countries on the global stage.

The Embassy will play a crucial role in enhancing bilateral relations, promoting tourism, and facilitating trade and investment opportunities. It will also provide consular services to Maldivian nationals residing in Türkiye and support cultural and educational exchanges. This momentous occasion marks a significant step forward in the Maldives' diplomatic outreach and its efforts to build stronger international partnerships.

In a significant step towards enhancing healthcare services in the Maldives, a virtual meeting was coordinated by the Embassy, bringing together key health institutions of the Maldives and Türkiye's renowned healthcare provider, Acibadem Healthcare Group. The meeting, held today, saw the participation of senior officials from the Ministry of Health of Maldives along with several prominent Maldivian healthcare institutions including National Social Protection Agency,  Aasandha Company Ltd., Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital and Hulhumale' Hospital.  

The primary focus of the meeting was to explore potential collaborations and new initiatives aimed at improving healthcare services in the Maldives. Discussions centered around sharing expertise, training healthcare professionals, and leveraging advanced medical technologies to enhance patient care.

The meeting was attended from the Embassy by Ambassador of Maldives to Türkiye, Lieutenant General (Retd) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef, and Deputy Ambassador, Abdul Waris Saeed.

Ambassador of Maldives to Türkiye, Lieutenant General (Retd) Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef, joined a virtual meeting held by Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Welfare of Maldives lead by Minister Dr. Maryam Mariya with Mr. Necdet Ünüvar, the Rector of Ankara University, and his team.

The discussions held today focused on enhancing food security in the Maldives through collaborative research, innovation, and training in crop and livestock production, as well as agro-processing.

Ankara University’s expertise in these areas is well-recognized, particularly their Veterinary Faculty, established in 1842, which offers comprehensive programs in veterinary medicine and animal sciences. The faculty includes specialized departments such as Animal Breeding and Nutrition, aiming to advance research and education in animal health and production.

This collaboration is expected to bolster the Maldives’ agricultural sector, focusing on sustainable practices and food security. The meeting highlighted the potential for Ankara University to contribute significantly to the Maldives' efforts in achieving these goals.