President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed arrived on an official visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday.
President @ibusolih arrives in UAE on official visit at the invitation of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince pic.twitter.com/jeSZ9LCsBA
— The President's Office (@presidencymv) November 30, 2019
The visit was at the request of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Travelling with President @ibusolih to Abu Dhabi on the invitation from the Government of UAE. Our visit will enhance the already outstanding bilateral relations between Maldives and UAE pic.twitter.com/hrJwpDMd1h
— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) November 29, 2019
It is President Solih's second visit to the Gulf state since undertaking presidency.
The President is set to call on the Crown Prince and hold discussions with UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdulla bin Zayed Al Nahyan, according to the President's Office.
Since January 1, 2019, Maldivians are granted a one-month visa upon entry into the UAE as per an agreement signed between the two countries. Diplomatic relations between the Islamic nations were established in 1978.
Identified as a key contributor to the development sector, President Solih and the UAE government agreed to formulate a 'Joint Cooperation Committee' to bolster bilateral relations.