A tale of two states: Maldives President begins two-day visit

Both countries to sign agreements on health, education and drug trafficking

ISLAMABAD: President of Maldives Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom began a two-day official visit here on Wednesday, focused on enhancing ties with Pakistan.

On his arrival, the Maldivian President was greeted by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other cabinet members at Chaklala Airbase. He was presented a guard of honor as well as a 21-gun salute.

Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, President of the Republic of Maldives, is undertaking a state visit to Pakistan on May 6-7. The visit is taking place at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

On the first day of his visit, Gayoom held a meeting with President Mamnoon Hussain at the President House, according to the official statement.

The statement said Mamnoon highlighted the importance of Pakistan’s ties with the Maldives, which is also a member of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). The Pakistani president said both countries played an active role in making the SAARC organization a regional model group. He hoped that the visit of the Maldivian president would prove a milestone for further strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries. He also hosted a banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Advisor on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, also called on the visiting Maldives President. “They exchanged views on bilateral relations and international issues of mutual interest,” said the state-run Radio Pakistan.

The president of Maldives will hold formal talks with the prime minister today (Thursday) where the two countries are expected to sign several.

Foreign office had said in a statement that a number of documents on cooperation in the fields of sports, health, education and illicit drugs and narcotics trafficking will also be signed.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2015.