Australia opens high commission in Maldives

Paul Wesley Stephens is the current Australian High Commissioner to the Maldives. -- Photo: People's Majlis

Paul Wesley Stephens is the current Australian High Commissioner to the Maldives. -- Photo: People's Majlis

Australia has opened its first High Commission in the Maldives.

The high commission office in Male’ is located on the fifth floor of Hotel Jen.

Foreign minister Abdulla Shahid tweeted that he was “very pleased that a resident Australian high commission is established in Male’.”

“I remain assured that the close and cordial relations between Maldives and Australia will reach new heights following this milestone,” he said.

The high commission tweeted that Australia “deeply values our warm and productive relationship with Maldives and looks forward to strengthening our bilateral relationship.”

The decision to open a high commission in Male’ was first announced in February 2022. All matters related to the Maldives were earlier handled at the high commission in Colombo.

The high commission’s website stated that despite opening an office in Male’, consular services like passport and visa issuance will continue from the Colombo office.

But they assured more convenience in obtaining consular services.

Maldives and Australia established diplomatic ties in June 1974. Paul Wesley Stephens is the current Australian High Commissioner to the Maldives.

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