At two separate meetings, President Nasheed yesterday met with the Iceland’s Minister for Fisheries and Agriculture, Jón Bjarnsason, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Össur Skarphéðinsson.
During the meeting with Minister for Fisheries, held at Iceland’s Marine Research Institute, discussions were mainly focused on developing a mutually beneficial cooperative framework between the Maldives and Iceland, especially in the area of fisheries and fishing technologies.
The President and the Fisheries Minister agreed that both countries could benefit from sharing each others experiences, especially in the area of fisheries.
President Nasheed said that the Maldives fishing industry would benefit from the transfer of fishing technology, practices and experience of Iceland.
The Minister said Iceland wanted to work with small fishing-island nations, and the Maldives would be a perfect partner in this regard.
Iceland’s fish catch accounts for about 2% of global fish catch.
Before the meeting with the Minister for Fisheries, the President visited Iceland’s Marine Research Institute. President Nasheed was also accompanied by the President of Iceland during his visit to Institute.
At the institute, he was briefed on the marine research, mechanisms to monitor and control of fishing activities, and training in Iceland.
During the meeting with Iceland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Össur Skarphéðinsson, which was held at the Ministry of Foreing Affairs, the President and the Foreign Affairs Minister discussed ways and areas of further strengthening and developing the bilateral relations between the Maldives and Iceland.
Discussions mainly included ways of collaborating in the areas of fishing, renewable energy and climate change and education.
