MALÉ, Sept 15 - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was accorded a full ceremonial welcome here today, marking the start of his official agenda for his two-day visit to the Maldives.
Anwar arrived at the Izzudheen Faalan jetty here at 9.29am local time (12.29pm Malaysian time), where he was received by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and treated to a cultural performance by local schoolchildren.
Anwar, who is also finance minister, was accompanied by Maldivian Islamic Affairs Minister Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed.
Joining Anwar on the trip are Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri Ramanan Ramakrishnan, and Malaysian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Badli Hisham Adam.
At the President’s Office, Anwar and Muizzu held a four-eyed meeting before leading their respective delegations in a bilateral meeting to discuss efforts to further strengthen Malaysia-Maldives relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
The two leaders are also scheduled to witness the exchange of several memoranda of understanding (MOUs) before holding a joint press conference.
Malaysia and the Maldives established diplomatic relations in 1968, with both countries continuing to expand cooperation in various areas, including trade, investment and people-to-people ties.
