News & press releases

Foreign Minister Shahid holds a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia

31 March 2020

Minister Shahid highlighted the detrimental impacts of the pandemic on the fragile economy of Maldives, as a small island nation highly dependent on tourism and imports.Minister Shahid also commended on the tremendous leadership shown by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and Crown Prince, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed Bin Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud in taking the bold and effective measures for the protection of the Islamic Ummah and the brotherly people of Saudi Arabia against the COVID-19 pandemic. Minister Shahid further praised the Saudi initiative in holding the ‘G20 virtual extraordinary summit’; calling for an effective and coordinated response to this pandemic and restore confidence in the global economy.Minister Shahid also used the opportunity to condemn the missile attack towards in Riyadh and Jazan in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and expressed the Maldives’ solidarity with the Government and the brotherly people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Foreign Minister Shahid further reiterated the steadfast commitment of the Maldivian Government to fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.Minister Shahid acknowledged with appreciation the continued support of the Saudi Government towards the socio-economic development of the Maldives and both Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to work closely to enhance the brotherly relations and cooperation between the two countries based on shared values, mutual respect and understanding, and to continue working together on issues of mutual concern.ENDS