In response to the kind invitation extended by His Excellency the President of Maldives Mr. Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia undertook an official visit to the Republic of Maldives on 28th Rabi Al-Thani 1435H corresponding to 28th February 2014.
His Excellency the President of the Republic of Maldives received His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport and hosted a Luncheon reception in honour of His Royal Highness.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince met with the Former President of Maldives, His Excellency Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. During his tenure the diplomatic relationship was established between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Maldives.
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince held discussions with His Excellency the President of the Republic of Maldives in a cordial and brotherly atmosphere reflecting the strong relationships binding the two countries. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdulla bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to his brother the President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and the people of the Republic of Maldives over the success at the Presidential Elections.
The two parties emphasized the importance of the cooperation between the two countries through the Organization of Islamic Cooperation; and the fact that Islam is the religion of the moderation, tolerance and middle path.
Also, the two parties emphasized their commitment to fight against extremism and terrorism in all its forms and shapes as well as the importance of the security cooperation between the two countries in the fields of sea piracy and combating drugs trading and money laundering.
His Excellency the President of Maldives expressed his gratitude to the Kingdom for her support to Maldives towards gaining membership at United Nations Human Rights Council for the period from 2012 to 2016.
Also, His Excellency the President of Maldives expressed his gratitude to the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques Kind Abdulla bin Abdulaziz Al Saud for the generous support the Republic of Maldives receives from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the Saudi Fund for Development and the generous support extended to Maldives at aftermath of the Tsunami disaster that affected Maldives in 2004, and the donation made by the Kingdom to build seven mosques in the Maldives Islands.
And discussed the economic relationships between the two countries and the ways of developing them to achieve the common interests of two countries.
The Maldives side expressed it appreciation to the Government of the Kingdom ofSaudi Arabia and her prompt endeavors to bring peace and stability in the Middle East region specially for the efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to find a fair and sustainable solution for the Palestinian issue, a solution that will lead to the formation of the independent and united habitable state of Palestine the capital of which would be the Quds Al Sahreef, also the intensive efforts made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to end the prevailing crisis in Syria in accordance with the resolutions of the Geneva 1 statement aiming to bring back the security and peace in Syria and to save lives of the brotherly people of Syria.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence of the Kingdom Saudi Arabia expressed gratitude to His Excellency the President Abdul Yameen Abdul Gayoom for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to His Royal Highness and the accompanying delegation during the visit.