Discussions have been held on ways to enhance the bilateral relations between the governments of Maldives and Panama.

The newly appointed Ambassador of Panama to the Maldives Itzel Patiño de Villarreal called on Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel on Monday.

The meeting was joined by Joint Secretary Shiuneen Rasheed and Assistant Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Shaffau Ibrahim.

During the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Maldivian state minister congratulated the new Panamanian ambassador on her appointment.

The meeting saw discussions revolving around avenues for strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries in areas of mutual importance such as climate change.

Following her appointment, Minister of Foreign Affairs offered warm congratulations and expressed confidence that the friendly cooperation between Maldives and Panama will continue to expand during her tenure.

Itzel Patiño de Villarreal presented her Letter of Credence to President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as the first-ever Ambassador of the Republic of Panama to Maldives on Monday.

Meeting with the president, the Panamanian ambassador engaged in discussions revolving around a number of topics of mutual interest, including multilateralism, sustainable tourism, climate change, democracy, counter terrorism as well as cooperation in the international arena.

President Solih and the Panamanian Ambassador reaffirmed their commitment to enhance the bilateral ties between the two countries in areas of mutual interest, before concluding the meeting.

Diplomatic relations were established between the Maldives and Panama in 1989.