The Maldives and Azerbaijan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries' foreign ministries. The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The MoU aims to expand and strengthen cooperation between the Maldives and Azerbaijan in a wide range of areas, including political, economic, cultural, and technical cooperation. It also aims to facilitate regular consultations between the two countries on issues of mutual interest.

The MoU was signed by Ahmed Khaleel, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, and Elnur Mammadov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan.

In a statement, Khaleel said that the MoU would "pave the way for further strengthening of the already strong bilateral relations between the Maldives and Azerbaijan." He added that the MoU would "boost cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as trade, tourism, and investment."

Mammadov said that the MoU was a "significant milestone" in the relations between the Maldives and Azerbaijan. He said that the MoU would "help to further deepen and broaden our cooperation in all areas."

The MoU is the latest in a series of agreements signed by the Maldives and Azerbaijan in recent years. In 2022, the two countries signed an agreement on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports. In 2021, the two countries signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of tourism.

The signing of the MoU is a sign of the growing cooperation between the Maldives and Azerbaijan. The two countries share a number of common interests, such as promoting peace and stability in the region and promoting sustainable development. The MoU is expected to help to further strengthen the relations between the two countries and to promote cooperation in a wide range of areas.