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President Solih, PM Wickramasinghe deliver joint press statement

Nafaahath Ibrahim
02 September 2019, MVT 14:48
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe deliver joint press statements. PHOTO: PRESIDENTS OFFICE
Nafaahath Ibrahim
02 September 2019, MVT 14:48

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe delivered joint press statements.

The statements were given at the President's Office on Monday afternoon and is part of the PM's ongoing official visit to Maldives.

In their statements, both leaders highlighted the enduring friendship that defines the relationship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

According to them, this has contributed to the excellent cooperation that exists between the two countries.

President Solih’s remarks reiterated that Maldives and Sri Lanka enjoy a traditionally close and significant relationship, with values, history and culture intertwined, adding that interactions between the two countries go beyond even recorded history.

He thanked the government of Sri Lanka for the invaluable contributions to the socio-economic development of Maldives over the years.

Additionally, President Solih highlighted the expert aid from Sri Lanka in capacity building and human resource development, particularly in areas such as health, education, defence, youth development and sports.

Both the leaders expressed satisfaction at the substance and pace of cooperation on the international fora, bilaterally and multilaterally, since President Solih's visit to Sri Lanka in February.

President Solih state that the MoUs exchanged today are precisely to contribute to expand and further develop bilateral relationships between both countries.

Noting that Maldivians frequently travel to Sri Lanka for medical purposes, the President expressed appreciation at the kind hospitality to those people. In particular, he noted the decision by the Sri Lankan government to allow Maldivians to seek organ transplant services.

President Solih also spoke of the significance of the agreements exchanged today.

“Investing in skills development and the youth is a high priority for my government. Today, we signed important MOUs that will contribute to higher education, youth development and enhancing the capacity and quality of human resources.”

Furthermore, the neighbouring leaders spoke of international concerns and mutually agreed to redouble efforts to protect people from the threat of terrorism, with President Solih expressing his deepest sympathies for the people and Government of Sri Lanka for the devastating terrorist attack in February.

Stressing on the urgency of climate change, they stated that it is a threat the needs immediate attention in both mitigation and adaption.

They also agreed on the need to work with all countries to combat terrorism and counter violent extremism within the region and beyond.

Prime Minister arrived in Maldives upon the invitation from President Solih.

Since his arrival, both countries have signed an Agreement of Cooperation and three Memoranda of Understanding to facilitate practical engagement between the two governments.

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