The United States' Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, on Wednesday announced the Department of State's intention to work with the Congress to provide USD 9.75 million (MVR 150,735,000) as free aid to Maldives.
Pompeo met with the Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid in Washington DC, to discuss ways to further the bilateral ties between the two countries.
During the meeting, Pompeo hailed the Memorandum of Understanding on Aviation Security Cooperation between the US and Maldives, to work against terrorism and radical extremism.
I just signed the Memorandum of Agreement between the Government of Maldives and the US, on Aviation Security Cooperation. This will enhance capabilities of our law enforcement bodies to combat terrorism and violent extremism, and further strengthen our cooperation in this area. pic.twitter.com/XNfRicaGcb
— Abdulla Shahid 🎈 (@abdulla_shahid) February 20, 2019
Pompeo also highlighted that the two countries were collaborating to share best practices in the areas of debt strategy, public financial management, and combatting financial crimes. He further praised the island nation's commitment to reforming the judiciary, establish transparency and the rule of law.
This is the first time for a Maldivian minister to visit the US on invitation of the US foreign minister. Minister Shahid will also meet with top officials of the US National Security Council, USAID and Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, according to the foreign ministry.
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