Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has concluded his official visit to London.

While FM Shahid departed to Maldives on Tuesday night, a twitter post reads that he had “very constructive” meetings with a number of ministers from the government and MPs of United Kingdom.

FM Shahid described the opportunity to share Maldives story of democratic resilience with the Community of Democracies (CoD) as “invaluable”.

Further, the minister stated that the relationship between Maldives and UK, is “moving on to a new chapter”.

During his official visit, FM Shahid held productive discussions with many UK officials.

On Wednesday, FM Shahid met with Minister of State for Commonwealth and UN at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Lord Ahmed of Wimbledon and Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Mark Field.

The Ministers had held discussions on further strengthening bilateral ties between Maldives and UK.

In this regard, FM Shahid announced the government’s decision to establish a resident ambassador to upgrade the Maldives mission in London.

Further, FM Shahid expressed “sincere appreciation” for the UK’s decision to open a British Embassy in the Maldives.

Some of the highlights of his visit include having addressed the 29th Governing Council Meeting of Community of Democracies where he stressed on the Maldives struggle in attaining democracy.

He also met Minister of State for Trade Policy of UK George Hollingbery, MPs, Helen Grant, Hugo Swire and David Amess, the Chair of the APPG and Secretary General of Commonwealth Baroness Patricia Scotland with whom he expressed his wish for the process of Maldives rejoining the Commonwealth to be accelerated.

Accompanied by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel, Minister Shahid concluded his official four-day visit on Tuesday, and arrived in Maldives on Wednesday evening.