Minister of Finance and Treasury and Special Envoy of the President of Maldives Ahmed Munawar pays a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Japan Taro Aso.
At the meeting held this morning at the Pacifico Yokohama in Japan, Minister Munawar presented to Deputy Prime Minister Aso a letter from President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom to Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Minister Munawar congratulated the Deputy Prime Minister of Japan on the upcoming historic milestone of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Japan. Recalling President Yameen's official visit to Japan in 2014, the Finance Minister conveyed President Yameen's firm commitment to further strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries in the time ahead. He also briefed Japan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance on President Yameen's vision for economic transformation in the Maldives, including the ongoing efforts to develop disaster-resilient, technologically-advanced infrastructure development projects on the Youth City of Hulhumale'.
img:http://s2.psmnews.mv/images/660x400/14941490590163.jpg|Finance Minister meeting Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of Japan - Photo: Finance Ministry
Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso welcomed Minister Munawar to Japan and emphasized that Japan attached a high priority to Maldives relations. He noted the long-standing popularity of the Maldives as a luxury holiday destination of choice among the Japanese people. He also spoke on the importance of strengthening collaboration in the fight against terror.
Minister Munawar was joined at this morning's meeting by the Ambassador of Maldives to Japan Mohamed Hussain Shareef. In his remarks at the meeting, Ambassador Shareef recalled the personal contributions of Deputy Prime Minister Aso in forging strong bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, including the initiatives taken during his tenures as Japan's Prime Minister and as Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Minister Munawar concludes his four-day official visit to Japan this evening. During his stay, he attended the 50th ADB Annual Meeting in Yokohama, and met with senior officials of the Japanese government.