Bahrain and Maldives open new chapter of ties and cooperation | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Bahrain and Maldives open new chapter of ties and cooperation | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

A joint statement was issued yesterday following the visit of the President of the Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Saleh to Bahrain. 1. Within the framework of long-standing relations and friendship which tie Bahrain and the Republic of Maldives, and in line with the aspiration to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries, official discussions were held between His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Excellency Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Republic of Maldives, at Gudaibiya Palace. 2. The two sides discussed the value of close bilateral relations, new areas of cooperation, and ways to develop and enhance existing ties that serve mutual interests. The two sides stressed a common desire to strengthen economic, trade, and investment cooperation, as well as the importance of supporting the private sector to contribute to economic growth for the benefit of both countries and their peoples. 3. The talks provided a welcome opportunity to expand and deepen bilateral cooperation in mutually beneficial fields and to further strengthen political and economic relations, and particularly within the fields of trade, food security, the environment, communications, culture, tourism, youth development, and sport. 4. The parties agreed to increase tourist travel between the two countries. In