President Solih, First Lady Fazna conclude state visit to Bahrain

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed on Saturday evening concluded the official state visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain and returned to Malé.

The first couple arrived in Bahrain on Wednesday, October 5, to Bahrain for the visit at the invitation of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Upon arrival, they inspected a guard of honour accorded to them by the Bahrain Defence Force.

On Thursday, the President and First Lady were received by H.M. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at Al-Qudaibiya Palace.

During this meeting, the president and king engaged in bilateral discussions.

In addition to this, President Solih held talks with Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain during this visit.

Highlights of the visit include four key agreements signed between Maldives and Bahrain during a special ceremony, which the president and king presided over.

Furthermore, cabinet ministers and senior officials from both countries engaged in bilateral discussions during this visit, including a notable joint press conference held by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain, Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani

President Solih also visited the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), and met with Sheikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Chairman of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, who later hosted a dinner reception for the first couple and the Maldivian delegation.

President Solih also met with the senior management of Bahrain Telecommunications Company (Batelco) on Friday.

Meanwhile, during this visit, First Lady Fazna met with Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, the wife of the King of Bahrain and the President of the Supreme Council for Women, Hala Mohammed Jaber Al Ansari, the Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Women of Bahrain.

Additionally, she visited King Hamad University Hospital (KHUH) and the Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT).

Prior to their departure, President and the First Lady toured the Bahrain National Museum and Beit Al-Quran Facility together.

This is the first time a Maldivian Head of State made a state visit to Bahrain.