President vows to safeguard sovereignty in fostering bilateral ties

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih says he will not compromise Maldives’ independence and sovereignty in fostering closer ties with foreign nations.

President Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed are currently on a state visit to Singapore.

He made the remark in a meeting with the Maldivian community residing in Singapore this Sunday.

Speaking at the meeting, President Solih said that improving bilateral ties had been a priority of his administration from day one itself.

“However, this administration, in its efforts to reinvigorate ties, has not done anything which could damage the independence and sovereignty of Maldives even in the slightest. And In Sha Allah, we never will. We are fostering ties with our neighbors and well-wishers in a way which safeguards the independence and sovereignty of Maldives,” he said.

President Solih also spoke of his administration’s work to re-join the Commonwealth, which he said will ensure Maldives will receive all the benefits and assistance it once received from the organization prior to its decision to leave the organization.

He also highlighted the longstanding historic relations between Maldives and Singapore.

President Solih said that Singapore had long been taken by Maldivians as an example of development and progress. He said that a Singaporean market had existed in Maldives long before many Maldivians learned where Singapore was, and that Maldivians continued to travel to Singapore to purchase high-quality provides and receive medical treatment.

He also expressed pleasure at the large number of Maldivian nationals who are employed in technical posts in Singapore.

“This includes doctors, and Maldivians involved in technical fields such as computer programing. There some who have established and running successful businesses in Singapore. They are serving their posts responsibly. And I note that it is with the level of responsibility that that the entire Maldives is proud of,” said President Solih.

He said that the Maldivian embassy in Singapore has launched an initiative to foster closer ties with the Maldivian community residing in the country. He also said that the embassy was currently in the middle of establishing an online platform to digitalize many of its services.

The President is scheduled to sign an MoU on for cooperation in aviation and land transport during his visit.