Foreign ministers of Maldives, Pakistan call to discuss virus situation

Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid, on Tuesday, held a telephonic conversation with his Pakistani counterpart, Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, during which they discussed the virus situation in their respective countries.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Shahid noted the escalation in COVID-19 cases across the world and in Pakistan. He expressed solidarity with Pakistan and commended the Pakistan’s efforts in addressing the situation.

He briefed Qureshi on the impact of the pandemic on the Maldivian economy – worsened by its high dependency on tourism and imports, and the measures implemented by Maldives to curb the spread of the virus.

Shahid also thanked Pakistan for its assistance to Maldives, highlighting on the support it continues to provide in looking after the welfare of the Maldivian nationals in Pakistan, most of them students.

He highlighted on the recent video conference held by SAARC leaders on the virus pandemic, and reiterated Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s call for a comprehensive regional strategy that encompasses enhanced cooperation between the region’s health emergency agencies, and short and long term economic relief and recovery for the SAARC region. 

Shahid further informed Qureshi that Maldives had established a COVID-19 emergency relief fund with an initial pledge of USD 200,000, and expressed support to the proposal by the SAARC Development Fund to mobilize USD 5 million as grant aid from its existing budget for COVID-19 emergency efforts.

Both Shahid and Qureshi reaffirmed their commitment to enhance the brotherly relations and cooperation between Maldives and Pakistan based on shared values, mutual respect and understanding, and to continue working together on bilateral and international issues of mutual concern.

Shahid also reiterated his invitation to Qureshi to undertake an official visit to Maldives, which he accepted.