Discussions have been held regarding the challenges both Maldives and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) face during the response efforts against the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

This was done during a telephone conversation Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid had with his UAE counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Friday.

During the phone call, FM Shahid praised the UAE government’s efforts to combat the pandemic, particularly the large number of Covid-19 tests that have been undertaken so far in the country. This, FM Shahid said, has significantly enhanced the government’s ability to contain the disease from spreading.

As such, the two ministers discussed the measures being taken by both governments in order to control and contain the spread of the virus in both Maldives and the UAE.

Further, both ministers reviewed on-going collaborations between both countries and shed light on the areas that require urgent actions to ensure that social and economic impacts due to the pandemic, are reduced.

In addition, the Maldives foreign minister expressed gratitude to his UAE counterpart for the generous support extended by the middle-eastern nation over the years, stating that “UAE continues to remain a valued friend and partner of Maldives”.