Maldives VP hails 'visionary' Saudi Crown Prince
The vice president commended the Vision 2030 roadmap drawn up by Bin Salman.
Maldives Vice President Faisal Naseem on Friday praised Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman as a visionary and a capable leader.
He made these remarks while speaking at the reception held at Kurumba Maldives to commemorate the 92nd National Day of Saudi Arabia.
Naseem said Saudi Arabia is exemplary in implementing policies to achieve the country's development aspirations.
The vice president commended the Vision 2030 roadmap drawn up by Bin Salman and stated that it was a testament to what a country can achieve with the foresight of a capable leader and the perseverance of hardworking citizens.
"Five years after Vision 2030 was unveiled, many noteworthy achievements have been made to support the kingdom's economic diversification objectives and to build a prosperous future for the people of Saudi Arabia," he said.
The prince, known as "MBS", has been accused by Western intelligence of ordering the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. He denies the accusation, but he has been seen as something of a pariah in the West.
The vice president emphasised the close bilateral relationship spanning over four decades between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia and said that the special and unique bond between the two nations was based on mutual respect, the spirit of cooperation, and shared values.
He said the two countries shared values as Muslim nations were rooted in close Islamic, cultural, and historical ties.
The vice president also underscored that the government and people of the Maldives were highly appreciative of the leadership and government of Saudi Arabia for the assistance and opportunities granted to the Maldives over the years. He further noted that the Saudi Fund for Development had been an invaluable partner in important developmental projects in the Maldives.
The vice president said that the Maldives will continue close cooperation and collaboration with Saudi Arabia in the international arena on issues of mutual interest and is always appreciative of the vital role of the Kingdom in the promotion of Islamic solidarity.
