Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has discussed avenues for joint cooperation between the governments of Maldives and the United States, with senior US officials.
The discussions were held during meetings held between the Maldives minister and senior officials of the US government on Thursday during his visit to Washington D.C. He met with senior officials of US Department of State and US National Security Council.
While the Minister discussed on the enduring cooperation between the Maldives and US governments in areas of security with officials of the council, he also discussed on exploring avenues for cooperation in future programs on counter-terrorism with State Department official and Ambassador-at-Large and Coordinator for counter-terrorism at the State Department, Nathan Alexander Sales.
Had productive meetings with senior officials @StateDept. Both sides agree that we are living through some of the best times in the relationship between the Maldives and USA and on the need to keep in investing for the long term benefits of the peoples of both countries
— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) January 23, 2019
Minister Shahid also discussed ways to further enhance the bilateral relations between both countries with Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asia, Ambassador Alice Wells and Under Secretary for Political Affairs, David Hale.
Minister Shahid told Hale that US Indo-Pacific Strategy is a "source of good" for the Maldives and for the stability of the Indian Ocean region.
Had a very good meeting with Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs @StateDept David Hale. I told him that the US Indo-Pacific Strategy is a source of good for the Maldives and for the stability of the Indian Ocean @USAmbSLM @State_SCA
— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) January 23, 2019
Discussions were also held regarding strengthening of governance and democratic consolidation in the country.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Khaleel, Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the UN and Ambassador to the United States Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed and First Secretary at the Maldives Mission in New York, Ahmed Nasir had accompanied Minister Shahid during the meetings.
