The government of United States of America is keen to explore future US support for security cooperation activities in the Maldives, assures Ambassador of the United Stated of America to the Maldives, Alaina Teplitz and Assistant Secretary of Defence, Randall Schriver.

Ambassador Teplitz and Assistant Secretary of Defence Schriver stated this during a meetig with foreign minister Abdulla Shahid on Tuesday.

Ambassador Teplitz had also assured of US government’s readiness to provide assistance and support especially in the defense sector, during the meeting held at the Ministry.

At the meeting, Minister Shahid expressed appreciation to the US government’s assistance for maritime and border security, countering terrorism as well as violent extremism and other areas of mutual benefit.

Welcoming Teplitz and Schriver to the Maldives, Minister Shahid held discussions on ways of further strengthening the existing ties between Maldives and the US.

The meeting was joined by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel, Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed, Thilmeeza Hussain, nominated as the Ambassador of Maldives to the US by President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as well as Director at the Ministry, Shiuneen Rasheed.

Ambassador Teplitz and Schriver were accompanied by Defense Attaché at the U.S Embassy in Colombo Douglas Hess, Deputy Political Chief at the US Embassy in Colombo Mr. Marcus Carpenter and Military Assistant Kristian Pfeiffer.

Ambassador Teplitz’s two-day visit to the Maldives began on Monday and she returned on Wednesday.

During her visit she also met with Minister of Arts, Culture, and Heritage, Yumna Maumoon on Monday where both discussed possibilities of partnerships in cultural and heritage preservation needs in the Maldives.

Ambassador Teplitz also met with former President and coalition leader Mohamed Nasheed. During the meeting the pair discussed avenues of mutual cooperation to foster democracy in the Maldives and the region.