President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed has received a warm welcome in Seychelles.

After arriving in the country, President Solih was welcomed by Danny Faure, President of Seychelles, and observed the brass band of the Seychellois armed forces playing the national anthems of both countries.

Afterwards, the two leaders and the delegation held bilateral discussions at which they shone a light on some of the many areas in which the two countries can cooperate and on the common challenges that they share as island nations in the Indian Ocean, and as fellow members of the Alliance of Small Island States.

Discussion highlighted common commitment to the peace and security of the Indian Ocean Region, the need to take forward cooperation on climate change, developing the blue economy and combatting illicit activity such as maritime piracy; narcotics and human trafficking; and terrorism.

In light of the manifold areas in which our two governments cooperate, both leaders expressed their joy that this visit (the first state visit by a Maldivian leader to Seychelles) has proved so fruitful with both governments agreeing to cooperate on a range of fields, formalized by the signing of several Memoranda of Understanding encompassing several spheres, including general cooperation, blue economy, foreign ministry cooperation, and also sports cooperation.

President Solih also thanked Seychelles immensely for their support for Maldives’ bid to hold the Indian Ocean Island Games and expressed eagerness for Seychelles’ participation in the next games, and expressed gratitude in particular for the sporting cooperation MoU that both governments have agreed to sign.

President Solih also expressed gratitude for the Seychellois government’s decision to provide four annual scholarships commencing this year, for Maldivian students to study maritime fields, at the University of Seychelles.