The Japanese government has decided to donate two maritime patrol vessels to the Coast Guard.
The official documents for the donation of these two vessels by the Japanese government were signed by the two governments at a special ceremony held at the Foreign Ministry this morning.
The official documents were signed at the ceremony, attended by senior officials from the Japanese Embassy in the Maldives, the Maldivian Foreign Ministry, and the Finance Ministry. Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel signed on behalf of the Maldivian government, while the Japanese Ambassador to the Maldives, Ishigami Rumiko, signed on behalf of the Japanese government.
The decision to donate these two vessels to the Maldives was made under the Economic and Social Development Programme conducted by the Japanese government. Under this programme, 28 million US dollars will be spent to assist in increasing the operational capacity of the Coast Guard.
Speaking at the ceremony held today to sign the "Exchange of Notes", Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel expressed his appreciation and thanked the Japanese government for its continuous assistance to the Maldives. He also noted that with the vessels donated by Japan, the Coast Guard's harbour patrol fleet will expand, thereby strengthening and increasing the capacity to conduct "search and rescue" operations, enforce maritime laws, and protect the community.
Highlighting that this cooperation demonstrates the strong commitment to improving relations between the Maldives and Japan, the Minister thanked the Japanese government for its uninterrupted assistance in advancing the development of maritime safety and security in the Maldives. Furthermore, he welcomed Japan's decision to appoint a Defense Attaché to the Maldives, expressing hope that this would strengthen defense and security ties between the two countries.
