The Maldivian government has revealed that efforts to arrange visa-free travel to the European Union (EU) for Maldivians are progressing.

The government made the announcement in a statement after the European Union and the Maldives held the 4th Senior Officials Meeting.

The Fourth Senior Officials Meeting was co-chaired by Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director for Asia and Pacific at the European External Action Service, and Ahmed Khaleel, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, and was held in Brussels on 13 June 2023.

As per the statement, the EU and the Maldives discussed Maldives’ request to grant visa-free travel for Maldivian nationals to the EU Member States during the meeting.

It also revealed that the Maldives’ request for visa-free travel would be addressed when the next review of visa lists takes place.

The discussion reflected the ongoing efforts to strengthen relations and promote greater connectivity between the EU and Maldives.