Saudi and Middle East ties with Maldives very strong: Minister

Maldives enjoys strong ties with Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, Foreign Minister, Abdulla Khaleel, said in parliament today.

Responding to a question from the opposition MP Meekail Ahmed Naseem, Khaleel described relations with Saudi Arabia as more than just diplomatic and grounded in Islamic principles.

He said the Saudi government and the Saudi Development Fund had played a key role in supporting the Maldives’ development, including contributing to the completion of the new terminal at Velana International Airport, which opened last month.

The Saudi government had also provided USD 3 million in aid before the current administration took office, he added.

Minidter Khaleel said during the previous administration of former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, six meetings were held with Saudi officials over his five-year term, while the current government had already made seven visits in its short tenure. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had met the Saudi crown prince during an unofficial visit for Hajj as well, he said.

Khaleel said he had met Saudi and UAE officials six times so far which is the number of such meetings held during the previous administration. He also said the government had met Omani officials twice, compared with one meeting during the Solih administration.

“The list is long. Even in dollar terms, the aid received by this government has increased significantly compared with the previous government. This is how we measure the strengthening of relations," minister Khaleel said.

The minister also reaffirmed the Maldives’ support for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, backing a two-state solution to the conflict.