Opening Remarks, Maldives

SUBJECTS: Guardian-class patrol boat in Male

MINISTER OF DEFENCE OF THE MALDIVES, MOHAMED GHASSAN MAUMOON: It is both an honour and a privilege for me to welcome the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, the Honourable Richard Marles to the Ministry of Defence and the headquarters of the Maldives National Defence Force. On behalf of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and the people of Maldives, I extend a warm welcome and greetings to you Excellency and your delegation. It is indeed a pleasure to reconnect with you Honourable Deputy Prime Minister following our last meeting on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue last year. We are deeply grateful to you for accepting our invitation and for taking time out of your demanding schedule to visit us. Your presence here today is a strong reflection of Australia's commitment to strengthening the long standing and valued relationship between our two nations. It also reaffirms the growing cooperation and mutual respect between both countries, particularly in the areas of maritime security and defence. I now invite the Honourable Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence for Australia to deliver his remarks. 

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, RICHARD MARLES: Thank you Minister and can I start by thanking the President and all members of his government for the gracious and warm way in which myself and my delegation have been received here in Malé today. As Mr. Ghassan mentioned, we met a year ago on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue last year, at which point the Minister invited me to come but also spoke about how we should seek to build the relationship between our two countries, which has been there for a long time, but take it to the next level, and do so particularly in respect of defence. The 2023 Australian Defence Strategic Review identified that the North East Indian Ocean was an area of interest and priority for Australia. 50% of Australia's trade by sea travels just north of the Maldives. This is an incredibly strategically important part of the world for Australia, and the Maldives is a really important country in terms of Australia's national interest, and it is right that we should seek to be taking the bilateral relationship to the next step. And that's very much been the message of my visit today and the focus of the discussions that we've had this morning. It's reflective of the fact that our High Commissioner, David Jessup, is now Australia's first resident High Commissioner here in the Maldives here in Malé. He comes up for his second anniversary in the Maldives in July, and it is an expression of how we are seeking to take a relationship to the next level. To continue this progress, today I am really pleased to announce that Australia will be gifting a Guardian-class patrol boat to the Maldives, a boat which is under construction right now, the construction which will be completed next year, and the delivery of the patrol boat will be made next year to the Maldives. This will significantly enhance the maritime capabilities of the Maldives National Defence Force, and we are really pleased to be a part of it. It is not just the vessel itself, but it is also the sustainment and maintenance that comes with the vessel, so that the vessel is there in a way which will be able to have sea days, which contributes to the capability of the MNDF. We see this as a really important measure, and we very much hope it will make a difference to the capacity of the MNDF. But it is the message that comes with it which is perhaps more important, this is a sign of our desire to increase the relationship at a defence level between our two nations. We've long had 50 years of diplomatic relationships where there are strong people to people links, where many Maldivians have studied in Australia, where there are many Maldivians who now live in Australia, and there are a lot of personal connections. But this is bringing a strategic dimension to that relationship, a strategic dimension which is fundamentally important, and we are really excited about it. I'm very proud to be here today to make this announcement. I look forward to returning to the Maldives on many occasions in the future. This is a country which matters to Australia and the two nations are moving forward with a shared desire to increase our strategic relationship. Minister, thank you so much for hosting our delegation today.

MINISTER OF DEFENCE OF THE MALDIVES, MOHAMED GHASSAN MAUMOON: Australia and the Maldives are bound by mutual commitment to the safety and security of the seas, a shared maritime domain and common borders are not only the aspects that link Australia and the Maldives. Over the years, Australia has been a steadfast partner, not just in defence cooperation and maritime security, but also in nation and capacity building. We are deeply appreciative of Australia’s generosity extended over the years. Today, it is with deep gratitude and sincere thanks that we acknowledge the generous gift of a Guardian-class patrol vessel from the Government of Australia. This vessel, currently under construction, is anticipated to be commissioned into service next year. This contribution marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to strengthen our maritime capabilities. It also complements the pledge made by His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to double the strength of our coast guard. Your gift brings us one step closer to realising this vision. On behalf of His Excellency President, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, the Government and the people of Maldives, I extend our heartfelt thanks to the Honourable Deputy Prime Minister and the generous people of Australia. We look forward to continued collaboration, and working together to ensure safer and more secure waters for all. Thank you.