Shahid visits UAE with president's letter
The two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to work together on issues of mutual interest to the two countries.
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By
Mariyam Umna Ismail
Foreign minister Abdulla Shahid has arrived in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with a special letter from President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
Shahid arrived in the UAE on Thursday on an official visit.
Shahid, who is in the UAE as a special representative of the president, met his Emirati counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and handed over a letter from President Solih.
The details of the letter have not been disclosed yet. When asked by Atoll Times on Saturday, presidential spokesperson Miuvan Mohamed said it was common for leaders of countries to exchange letters in connection with international relations.
Miuvan has said in the past that information on letters exchanged between foreign leaders and President Solih will not be disclosed.
Referring to the meeting held at the UAE foreign ministry on Friday, the Maldivian Maldivian foreign ministry said:
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The two ministers discussed ways to further strengthen the long-standing ties between the two countries and enhance cooperation in a wide range of areas
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Thanking the UAE for its continued support to the Maldives through the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, Shahid also highlighted what UAE has done over the years for the socio-economic development of the Maldives
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The two ministers reaffirmed their commitment to work together on issues of mutual interest to the two countries.
Shahid has faced public criticism for travelling abroad despite being asked to cut government spending to tide over the global economic slowdown. His term as president of the UN General Assembly ended in September and he returned to Maldives month later.
During the one-and-a-half year when Shahid was in New York as the UN chair, apart from ministerial salaries, the state also funded some of his trips.
