President of the Maldives to pay official visit to Estonia

President of the Republic of Maldives Dr Mohamed Muizzu will be on an official visit to Estonia from 13-16 January on the invitation of President Alar Karis. During the visit, he will not only meet with President Karis, but also with the President of the Riigikogu and members of the government.

The visit will underscore the friendly ties between Estonia and the Maldives, which are oriented towards closer cooperation, and will create opportunities to foster political relations and practical partnerships in the digital, cyber and e-governance fields, on climate and environmental issues and in science and education.

Following the official welcoming ceremony on 13 January, Presidents Karis and Muizzu will discuss the international security situation, cooperation in international organisations and enhancing bilateral relations before visiting the memorial to victims of communism in Maarjamäe. President Muizzu will then meet with Minister of Education and Research Kristina Kallas and Minister of Climate Yoko Alender. On Monday evening, President Karis will host a dinner in honour of his Maldivian counterpart and the delegation accompanying him at the Knighthood House on Toompea.

The second day of the visit, 14 January, will focus on showcasing Estonian innovation and digital solutions. The heads of state will take part in a round table organised by President Karis’ digital advisors to discuss opportunities for cooperation between their two countries. President Muizzu will also be visiting the e-Estonia Briefing Centre ahead of meetings with President of the Riigikogu Lauri Hussar, Minister of Health Riina Sikut, Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta and Ministry of Foreign Affairs secretary general Jonatan Vseviov.

On 15 January the Maldivian head of state will be visiting Tartu, where he will be welcomed by Mayor Urmas Klaas at the Town Hall before proceeding to the University of Tartu. There he will be acquainted with the university’s research and developments and visit the Estonian Genome Project. Later, on a visit to the Estonian National Museum, he will be given an overview of Estonia’s history and cultural heritage.

The final meeting scheduled to take place during President Muizzu’s visit will be with representatives of the Estonian Association of Information Technology and Telecommunications to discuss potential partnerships for the promotion of digital development.

The Maldivian head of state will be accompanied on his visit by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Abdulla Khaleel, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology Ali Ihusaan, Women in Tech Maldives co-founder Aishath Adnan and Javaabu Pvt Ltd managing director and board member Mohamed Jailam. This is the first high-level visit from the Maldives to Estonia, and one of President Muizzu’s first visits to Europe.