President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided to submit the text of the Samoa Agreement with the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) for parliamentary approval.

He made the decision at the recommendation of his cabinet following deliberations on a paper submitted by the Foreign Minister at yesterday’s meeting.

The Samoa Agreement is the overarching framework for EU relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and focuses on six key priority areas to tackle the main challenges over the next two decades. They include human rights, democracy, and governance; peace and security; human and social development; inclusive, sustainable economic growth and development; environmental sustainability and climate change; and migration and mobility.

Maldives, by signing the agreement and becoming a full member of OACPS, would be able to access the opportunities provided by the European Union across different sectors more easily.

The President’s Office states these opportunities would also lead to better prices for Maldivian fisheries products when exported internationally.