President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has conveyed felicitations to the President of UAE, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with UAE.
In his message the President noted with thanks and appreciation that the UAE has stood by the Maldives as a brotherly nation and a reliable development partner for over four decades, and has played a crucial role in charting and operationalizing the socio-economic development course of the Maldives.
The President further noted that the Maldives and UAE share converging views on a myriad of bilateral and international issues of common concern. In addition to undertaking major development projects in the Maldives, the President highlighted, UAE has been a staunch advocate alongside Maldives on global issues such as climate change awareness and combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Reflecting on the past 40 years, the President emphasised, the Maldives-UAE developmental partnership has progressed exponentially in recent years and expressed earnest hope for the continuation of this trend in the years to come. The President also took the opportune occasion to reaffirm his sound commitment to further cultivate and sustain the economic, commercial, social and cultural ties between the Maldives and UAE, for the mutual benefit of both countries.
Diplomatic relations between the Maldives and UAE were established on March 15, 1978.