The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdulla Khaleel on Wednesday hailed the close and brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia, describing the Kingdom as a major development partner for the Maldives.
Responding to a question by an opposition lawmaker at Parliament on Tuesday, Minister Dr Khaleel insisted that the close relationship between Maldives and Saudi Arabia has been elevated since the incumbent Administration took office in November 2023.
He pointed out the generous financial assistance provided by the Saudi government to fasttrack the opening of the recently unveiled new international passenger terminal at the country’s main gateway, Velana International Airport (VIA), adding that the loan agreement with Saudi of USD 18.61 million to accelerate the project was signed during this Administration.
The additional financial support provided through the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) is testament to the growing relationship between the two countries, he said.
The Minister said previous government officials had officially visited Saudi Arabia six times and held six official meetings while this government, in just 18 months, has visited Saudi Arabia seven times and held seven official meetings.
"I would like to specially highlight that when the President [Dr Mohamed Muizzu] went on an unofficial visit for the Hajj pilgrimage, he met the Saudi Crown Prince. The two had very meaningful discussions. Relations with Saudi Arabia are getting stronger day by day. If you take financial assistance into account, the Saudi provided a USD 3 million grant aid almost immediately after this Administration took office,” he explained.
According to the Minister, President Dr Muizzu’s Administration has shaped its foreign policy to reflect the wishes and sentiments of the Maldivian people which has elevated its relations with the Muslim world along with receiving international recognition as an unwavering voice for the rights of Palestinian people.
Maldives’ unyielding position on the rights of Palestine, reflected by its unprecedented move to ban entry on Israeli passports, had received commendation and support from the Muslim world which he said has directly contributed to the increase of tourist arrivals from Islamic countries.