The President Successfully Concludes Official Visit To The State Of Qatar

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih departed on an official visit to the State of Qatar on last Sunday evening, and concluded the trip on Monday evening. He was accompanied by the First Lady, Fazna Ahmed and a high-level delegation from the Government of Maldives.

For its generosity and invaluable contributions to the Maldives’ socio-economic development – the island nation has long recognized Qatar. The main objective of the trip is to strengthen the bilateral relations between the countries following the re-establishment of diplomatic relations recently.

In line with this, the President met with the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, at the Amiri Diwan, the Amir’s Administrative Office where they both deliberated on ways to strengthen the bilateral bond between the nations increase mutual investment opportunities apart from various other matters of mutual benefit.

Both the leaders also discussed the effects of the ongoing pandemic on their respective countries. The President noted that it has illustrated to the Maldives the need to expedite the diversification of its economy and to focus on building more resilience through decentralization and sustainable development. He also went on to praise the safety measure imposed by Qatari authorities to curb the spread of the virus citing that the country has one of the lowest mortality rates in the world.

What was further discussed was about increasing people-to-people contact and business interactions between the Maldives and Qatar, where the President expressed his intention to appoint a non-resident Maldivian Ambassador to Qatar.

Whilst concluding the meeting, the President relayed his desire to continue to work together with Qatar on issues of global importance, such as climate change, sustainable development and the promotion and protection of human rights.

Following the meeting, President Solih and his delegation attended an official lunch hosted in his honor by His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani. The First Lady was honored with a private lunch hosted by the Qatari Amir’s spouse, Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher Bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani.

During the evening, the President and the First Lady toured the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, which boasts one of the most comprehensive Islamic art collections worldwide.

The President and his delegation will travel next to Bangladesh, where he is to attend the ceremony commemorating the ‘Birth Centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.’

(Pictures: President's Office)