The government has decided to open a Maldives embassy in Italy, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu said on Sunday night.

Speaking at the Republic Day ceremony, President Muizzu said the Italian government has granted permission to open the embassy.

"We requested for this and hopefully decided to go forward with it because it is very important for tourism," he said.

Apart from Italy, more embassies and high commissions will be opened in several countries that are important and useful to the Maldives, he said.

During the current administration, Maldives has opened its first embassy in Turkey.

Former Chief of Defense Force, Lt. Gen., Retd. Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef, who was the State Minister of Foreign Affairs, has been appointed as the Ambassador to Turkey.