President Muizzu meets with Turkish President Erdogan

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has met with his Turkish counterpart President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday.

President Muizzu's trip to Turkey is his first official state visit since he assumed presidency on the 17th of this month.

The meeting was held at the presidential complex in the capital Ankara, according to the President's Office.

The discussions included appreciation of the close ties between the two countries, as well as deliberation on further strengthening collaboration in developing business and investment opportunities, renewable energy projects and higher education options.

President Muizzu highlighted and thanked the President and people of Turkey for the support provided by the country towards socioeconomic development in the Maldives.

President Erdogan congratulated President Muizzu on winning September's presidential election. He stated that it was an honour to be the first country to receive an official visit from the President since the recent start of his tenure. The President's Office further noted that President Erdogan had described the visit as key to opening up a new chapter in the relations between Turkey and Maldives.

According to the information provided by the President's Office, the two presidents have agreed upon a roadmap for further strengthening ties between the countries.

The President is also due to meet with other senior officials of Turkey and further explore options of strengthening political ties.

The two Presidents' views on Palestine align

The Palestinian cause was also discussed by the two presidents, as per the President's Office.

Both Heads of State strongly condemned the inhuman attacks from Israel against Palestine, expressing home for a ceasefire and an end to the conflict.

Both leaders maintained that the path to continued peace in Palestine will be achieved through honouring an independent State for Palestine within the borders outlined in 1967.

They also believe that Israel must end its illegal occupation of Palestine and and immediately return the stolen land to the Palestinian people.

Turkish President Erdogan has previously congratulated President Muizzu on his election victory via a phone call.

President Muizzu will conclude the official visit and proceed to UAE to attend the COP summit scheduled for Thursday before returning to the Maldives.