Maldives, EU discuss fisheries and trade

Maldives has held high-level discussions with the European Union on strengthening cooperation in sustainable fisheries and expanding trade opportunities.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Global Tourism Forum Annual Meeting 2025, where Special Envoy of the President and former President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik met with European Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis.

According to the President’s Office, the talks focused on enhancing Maldives–EU relations in areas of mutual interest, particularly fair market access for Maldivian fish exports and collaboration on sustainable fisheries management.

Dr Waheed emphasized the critical role of the fishing industry in the Maldivian economy and stressed the need for equal access to international markets to ensure competitiveness. Both sides agreed on the importance of working together to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and to promote responsible marine resource governance.

The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the Maldives’ commitment to deepening its longstanding partnership with the European Union, aiming for mutual growth and sustainable development.