26th May 2011, Male'; The first Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to Turkey H.E. Ms. Iruthisham Adam, has presented her Letter of Credence to the President of Turkey H. E. Mr. Abdullah Gül, in a ceremony accompanied by Military Guard of Honor held at the Presidential Palace in Turkey yesterday.
Speaking at the Ceremony, Ambassador Adam conveyed the warm greetings of President Nasheed and the people of the Republic of Maldives.Recalling the existing close brotherly and longstanding bilateral relations between the Maldives and Turkey, the Ambassador expressed the sincere appreciation of the Maldives to the assistance rendered by Turkey throughout the long history of close bilateral relations between the two countries, especially in the aftermath of Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.
Ambassador Adam also briefed the President on the ongoing efforts by the Maldivian Government to consolidate democracy and strengthen human rights as well the economic and social reform programmes. Ambassador Adam also praised the leadership role played by Turkey in the recent developments in the Middle East and throughout the globe as an ardent advocate of international peace and security. Ambassador Adam also highlighted the importance Maldives attached to the Turkish Prime Minister's official visit to Maldives in 2005 and expressed hope for further enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation on international issues.
Turkish President H. E. Mr. Abdullah Gül welcomed Ambassador Iruthisham Adam as the first Maldives Ambassador to be accredited to Turkey and praised the Maldives' efforts to consolidate democracy and economic reforms. The President also noted that Maldives is a known as one of the best tourists destinations and encouraged more tourism promotion between Maldives and Turkey.Turkish President also highlighted the high level political visits exchanged between the two countries and expressed his eagerness to promote trade and tourism between the two countries.
Speaking after the credential ceremony Ambassador Adam said, "With the accreditation of an Ambassador from the Maldives to Turkey, for the first time in history, a new chapter of Turkish-Maldivian relations begins today. The Government of Maldives is keen to further strengthen these ties, and hope to bring in new strides in promoting people to people contact, and international cooperation between the two countries", Ambassador Adam said.
In her official consultations with the senior officials of Turkey, discussions were also held on increasing more academic and capacity building training opportunities for Maldives, to boost Turkish investments and partnership in the Maldives and promote democracy and human rights.
During her visit to Ankara, Ambassador Adam also met with senior officials of the South Asian Dept., Foreign Trade, International Political Departments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA), Prime-Ministry for Foreign Trade, Ankara University and Middle-East Technical University. Discussions at these meetings focused on garnering Turkish development assistance to the Maldives, in the areas of habour development and infrastructure, investment, education, health and climate change.
As part of the official ceremony, Ambassador Adam also visited the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, father of modern Turkey, and paid respects by laying a wreath at the Mausoleum.
ENDS.