Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has attended the National Day Reception hosted by the Ambassador of Japan to Celebrate the Birthday of the Emperor of Japan.

FM Shahid attended the reception as the Guest of Honor, on Wednesday.

The minister spoke on behalf of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih at the reception as well.

He extended warm wishes to Emperor Naruhito and conveyed greetings to Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa on the auspicious occasion.

Thanking the friends and partners whose cooperation and contributions have made the partnership between the two countries the strongest it has ever been over the last few decades, the Maldivian foreign minister highlighted the close bilateral relationship between the two countries.

As such, he stated that the close bilateral ties submerged in the history of cooperation, friendship and mutual respect between Maldives and Japan.

FM Shahid went on to express gratitude to his counterpart, Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa for his relentless commitment to strengthen the relations between the two countries.

The Maldivian minister also expressed gratitude to Ambassador Takeuchi Midori for her diligent efforts to promote the relationship between Maldives and Japan, to newer heights.

State Minister Ahmed Khaleel, Ambassador at Large Ahmed Saleem and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs accompanied FM Shahid at the reception.