The government of Maldives and the Kingdom of Bahrain have exchanged several key agreements.

The agreements were exchanged between the two governments on Thursday, as part of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s ongoing official visit to Bahrain.

The four key agreements exchanged on Thursday mirror a pivotal point of progress in the bilateral relations between the two countries.

President Solih and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain presided over the ceremony that took place at the Qudaibiya Palace.

The agreements include a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Political Consultations which was signed between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of both countries.

Further, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Cooperation on Diplomatic Training and Exchange of Information and Documentation was signed between the Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa Academy for Diplomatic Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain and the Foreign Service Institute of Maldives of the Maldives’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The third agreement is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in the Area of Youth and Sports Development between the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs of Bahrain and Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment of Maldives.

The Supreme Council for Environment of Bahrain and the Maldivian Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Climate Change.

The ceremony saw the announcement of two additional agreements as well.

Of these, the first is regarding the inclusion of Maldives as a sea-to-air partner which provides access to Bahrain’s global sea-to-air logistics hub.

The second agreement announced is to grant Maldives sovereignty over the data of its beneficiaries in Bahrain-based data centers.

President Solih and King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa held a one-on-one meeting before the ceremony took place.

A high-level delegation of government officials is accompanying the First Couple of Maldives during the visit, which they began on Wednesday.

The Maldivian First Couple’s state visit comes upon the invitation of the King of Bahrain.

The visit is anticipated to further enhance the friendly ties both countries enjoy. The first couple will return to Maldives on October 8.