Maldives Says Looking Forward To Grow Relations With Malaysia

By Shakir Husain

NEW DELHI, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- The Maldives is looking forward to further growing its relations with Malaysia, its Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer said in a congratulatory message to his new Malaysian counterpart Mohamad Hasan.

"It gives me great pleasure to extend to Your Excellency my sincere congratulations on your appointment as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia," Moosa said in his message on Wednesday.

"The Maldives greatly values the historical ties and close friendship, characterised by the common values we cherish, based on the mutual respect and goodwill between our two countries and the peoples," he said.

"The bonds of friendship and close people-to-people contact have paved the way for greater collaboration in several areas including economic and social. Malaysia remains a favoured destination for many Maldivians for education and tourism," the Maldivian message reads.

Moosa said he looks forward to working closely with Malaysia's new foreign minister to further expand "the enduring ties of friendship between Maldives and Malaysia with constructive engagements in areas of mutual benefit."

Mohamad is appointed as the new Foreign Minister in a Cabinet reshuffle announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Tuesday.

-- BERNAMA