President of Seychelles Wavel Ramkalawan and First Lady Linda Ramkalawan have concluded their state visit to the Maldives and departed to Seychelles.
President Ramkalawan visited the Maldives on June 11 at the invitation of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. The government of the Maldives hosted an official welcoming ceremony at the Republic Square in Male' City on June 12.
Afterwards, President Solih and President Ramkalawan presided over a ceremony held to four key agreements, marking a significant step forward in bilateral relations between the two countries. They included the Agreement on Short-Stay Visa Waiver, which will ease travel restrictions for nationals of both countries. An agreement on air services was also exchanged, which facilitates international air travel, promotes economic growth, and ensures the safe and efficient operation of air services between the Maldives and Seychelles. Other agreements included the Protocol on the Cooperation to Combat Transnational Organised Crime and Other Maritime Security and Safety Threats and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Youth Development Cooperation.
Additionally, President Solih and President Ramkalawan held official talks and a joint press conference, during which they assured commitment to develop the economic relationship between the two countries. The two heads of state noted the similarities between the countries and agreed to further enhance collaboration to effectively address the detrimental effects of climate change through global mechanisms.
President Ramkalawan also held meetings with Vice President Faisal Naseem and Minister Shahid and discussed areas of mutual interest and strengthening cooperation at the bilateral and multilateral levels. The visit of President Ramkalawan to the Maldives demonstrated the close relationship between the two countries. The visit is expected to lead to further collaboration between the Maldives and the Seychelles. The two countries established diplomatic relations on July 1, 1980.