Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has discussed economic challenges in the face of the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic with the Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom, Dominic Raab.
During an “engaging” telephone conversation with the British MP for Esher and Walton, the Maldives president discussed a range of mutual issues for both the Maldives and UK including the pandemic as well as climate change and the Commonwealth of Nations. As such, the president expressed gratitude for the UK government’s aid in expediting Maldives re-entry into the Commonwealth.
MP Raab and President Solih briefed one another on how the pandemic has impacted both countries and the steps being implemented by the respective government in order to tackle the crisis.
We are confident of the support of the UK to help us minimize the economic impact of COVID19”President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
During the call, the Foreign Secretary also extended felicitations to the Maldives on re-joining the Commonwealth this year and expressed interest to work closely on issues related to climate change and Indian Ocean security in the future.
Highlighting that Maldives was successful in its efforts to slow the community spread for over a month after the first positive case emerged in the country on March 7, President Solih stressed that however, the rate has spiked in capital city Malé since the first community transmission was discovered on April 15.
The British Foreign Secretary was briefed on the current situation in the Maldives including the declaration of a State of Public Health Emergency and the lockdown imposed in the Greater Malé Region.
President Solih went on to express confidence in the current measures taken under recommendations from health professionals, despite the number of confirmed cases having surpassed 200.
He stressed that these containment measures have impacted the country’s economy and also acknowledged the impact of the pandemic on UK.
Relaying his best wishes to the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is soon to resume his official responsibilities after beating the virus, President Solih shed light on the excellent ties that have always marked the relationship both nations have enjoyed.
