The Maldives and Turkey Strengthen Existing Relations.

The Government of the Republic of the Maldives and the Government of the Republic of Türkiye have signed an Agreement on Cultural Cooperation, desiring to strengthen existing cultural relations and promote reciprocal cooperation based on equality and mutual respect.

The agreement was signed by H.E. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Türkiye, on behalf of the Turkish government and H.E. Mohamed Thariq, Minister of State for Arts, Culture and Heritage of the Republic of Maldives, on behalf of the Maldivian government, on the 30^th of January, 2022.

The agreements are as follows:

• Both countries have agreed to develop cooperation between the cultural and art institutions of the two countries to cooperate in the fields of cultural development; especially art, folk traditions, librarianship. publishing, archeology, museology, and organizing joint projects on promotion and research of intangible cultural heritage.
• This agreement facilitates experts from both countries to participate in international congresses, symposiums, and exhibitions particularly in the field of conservation of historical artifacts.
• Both countries will collaborate against the illegal transferring of cultural assets by taking necessary precautions and measures.
• The agreement also facilitates the development of theater, music, choreography, performing arts, and the visual arts sector. This includes cooperation in the field of cinema and facilitating participation in international film festivals.
• Further, to promote the literature of both countries, the agreement encourages the translation of books by writers from both countries into the languages of each other. It also facilitates writers from both countries to participate in book fairs, international symposiums, panels in the field.

A joint committee with officials from both countries will be formed to plan and oversee the activities held under this agreement.