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Foreign Minister Shahid holds virtual meeting with Foreign Minister of UAE

22 June 2020

Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Mr. Abdulla Shahid had an online video conference meeting with the UAE Foreign Minister His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, this evening.

During the meeting, following their recent telephone call on 10 April 2020, the two Ministers evaluated the latest updates with regard to COVID-19 pandemic. As both countries are in the process of easing restrictions and embracing the ‘new normal’, the Foreign Ministers discussed the road ahead, and possible collaborations for the future.

Applauding the UAE’s campaign focused on early detection and treatment through extensive testing, Minister Shahid noted that the Maldives is also looking towards scaling up the testing capacity of hospitals and clinics nationwide, while resuming economic activity. Minister Shahid further elaborated on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and its repercussions on the Maldives economy. Minister Shahid also reiterated his gratitude to the Government of the UAE, for the generous donation of 72 tonnes of crucial medical equipment and supplies worth AED 18,331,425.00 (≈ USD 5 million), to the Maldives earlier this month.

Both Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to continue working together on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual importance, to further strengthen the brotherly ties between the two countries.ENDS