The Maldives and Oman held their first round of political consultations in Muscat on 22 October, with talks focused on cooperation in fisheries, sustainable tourism, the blue economy and renewable energy, Oman's Foreign Ministry said.
The meeting took place at the Omani Foreign Ministry's headquarters and was co-chaired by Maldives Foreign Secretary Fathimath Inaya and Sheikh Khalifa Alharthy, Oman's Foreign Ministry Undersecretary for Political Affairs.
According to the ministry, the two delegations reviewed bilateral relations and looked at opportunities to work together in sustainable tourism, fisheries, the blue economy, renewable energy and cultural exchange.
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, the ministry said.
Senior officials attend
Ambassador Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Hosni, head of the Asia and Pacific Department at Oman's Foreign Ministry, attended the talks along with officials from both foreign ministries.
Political consultations are a standing mechanism foreign ministries use to review ties and follow up on areas of cooperation. This was the first such round between the Maldives and Oman.
Tourism and fisheries are the two main pillars of the Maldivian economy.