The Government of the Maldives has officially welcomed the First Couple of the Republic of Seychelles.
The Seychellois President, Wavel Ramkalawan and First Lady, Linda Ramkalawan arrives in the Maldives on Sunday afternoon.
Their visit comes following the official invitation of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
The First Couple of Seychelles along with the delegation accompanying them, were received at the airport by Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid.
The ceremony to officially welcome the Seychelles’ First Couple was hosted by the government on Monday morning, at the Republic Square.
The ceremony marked the beginning of the state visit of the Seychellois President and First Lady to the Maldives.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed received the Seychellois First Couple at the Presidential Jetty in Malé.
Following this, Maldivian students performed a welcoming ceremony, and the guests were then escorted to the saluting dais.
The Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) fired a 21-gun salute in their honor.
The ceremony also saw the Maldivian military brass band playing the national anthems of the Maldives and Seychelles.
The senior officials of the Maldivian Government and the senior representatives of the Seychellois Government presented themselves together in the presence of a guard of honor.
After the welcoming formalities, President Ramkalawan was escorted to the President's Office in a cultural procession. Upon arrival at the President's Office, he signed the Visitors' Book.
Afterwards, President Ramkalawan sat down with President Solih for official talks.
The Seychelles’ president’s ongoing state visit to the archipelago nation mirrors the close ties enjoyed between Maldives and Seychelles.
The visit is also expected to lead to further collaboration between the two countries.
Diplomatic relations were established between the Maldives and Seychelles on 1 July 1980.
