President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that over the last five years, foreign policy has focused on protecting and upholding the country's peace as the top priority. He made the remark at a ceremony held to confer the most distinguished Foreign Service medal to two long-serving individuals.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Solih said that ties with international organisations were in disarray when the administration took office. He added that diplomatic relations had been severed between various Islamic countries and the Maldives, hindering and isolating the country in the international arena.
As such, President Solih spoke on the administration’s meticulous efforts to regain the international community's trust and confidence in the Maldives. He further expressed his gratitude to Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid for his efforts to re-establish relations and restore confidence in the Maldives in the international community.
Noting the administration's transformations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, President Solih said that the ministry was removed from the civil service mandate under a special law with the aim to strengthen the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and support the president and the administration in sustaining the current government's foreign policy most efficiently. He also emphasised the foreign service officers’ tireless work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Concluding his address, President Solih expressed hope that the foreign service sector would continue to flourish and thrive in the global community.