Maldives, Botswana formally establish diplomatic relations

NEW DELHI, Dec 12 (Bernama) -- The Maldives and Botswana formally established diplomatic relations at a ceremony held at the Botswana mission to the United Nations in New York on Monday.

Hala Hameed, a secretary at the Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Botswana's Foreign Minister Lemogang Kwape signed a joint communique formalising relations between the two countries.

"The establishment of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Botswana paves the way for the two countries to cooperate further to achieve common goals in areas of common interest," the Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Botswana, a top producer of diamonds, is the 186th country to establish diplomatic relations with  Maldives.

-- BERNAMA