The new High Commissioner of South Africa presents credentials to the President

H.E. Sandile Edwin Schalk, the new Non-Resident High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to the Republic of Maldives, on Tuesday presented his letter of credence to H.E. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. At the meeting held at the President’s Office, the President welcomed the High Commissioner to the Maldives and congratulated him on his new appointment.

Speaking with the High Commissioner, President Solih stated that the Maldives is committed to strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation between the two countries. The High Commissioner expressed his readiness to collaborate with the Maldives on international fronts, echoing President Solih’s sentiments.

The President stated that the Maldives is looking forward to establishing a Maldives High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa.He said that it would be the first Maldivian High Commission established on the continent of Africa and that it would help demonstrate the closeness between the two nations, also expressing hope that the opening of the office would extend the outreach of the Maldives.

The President and the High Commissioner spoke further on improving tourism, infrastructure development, and enhancing collaboration in the international fora. The Maldives established diplomatic relations with South Africa on July 27, 1994.