Malé, Maldives – Government of Maldives has put forward a request to European Union to allow on arrival Schengen Visa for Maldivians.
Local media reports that Foreign Ministry had put forward the request during the third meeting of senior officials of EU and Maldives.
Schengen Area is made up of 26 European countries that have common entry and exit requirements, which allows travelers to move freely between member countries without going through border controls or getting a visa for each country once a schengen visa has been obtained.
According to the 2022 Henley Passport Index, Maldivian passport holders can travel visa-free to 89 destinations giving it the rank of the most powerful passport in South Asia.
In addition to schengen visa, the government has also requested to abolish the duty imposed on tuna exported from Maldives to the EU.
The two parties had also agreed to work together at the international level to curb illegal, unregulated and unreported fisheries, as part of the discussions on expanding and protecting fisheries.
Foreign Ministry further disclosed that discussions on the sustainable management of fish stocks through the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission was also carried out in the meeting.
Noting that relations between Maldives and the EU have been strengthening in recent times and further progress has been made in the relationship, the two sides also assured that they would work to strengthen relations in accordance with the UN Charter and international norms.
They also agreed to explore and vigorously strengthen security cooperation between Maldives and the EU in the fight against counter-terrorism and extremism. The EU and the Maldivian government also agreed to further strengthen trade and investment relations between the two countries through the Business Round Table Initiative.
