Maldivian president says Pakistan has always proved a reliable friend; signs four MoUs

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Maldivian President Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayoom have expressed their resolve to further expand bilateral cooperation and deepen their ties in diverse fields. Addressing a joint news conference after holding talks in Islamabad on Thursday, both the leaders expressed the confidence that this visit will help lead to open new avenues of bilateral cooperation. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said there is commonality of view among the two countries on major international and regional issue. “Our friendship is based on mutual respect and understanding for the benefit of our people.” He said we both the sides reviewed whole aspect of bilateral ties and focused expanding cooperation in the fields of defence and tourism. He said both the sides also focused on regular exchange of delegations and visits on higher level besides promoting people to people contacts. The prime minister said Pakistan is a peace-loving country and intends to have good and cordial relations with all its neighbours. He hoped that the memorandum of understanding signed on Thursday will help further increasing their cooperation. Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom said Pakistan has always proved as a reliable friend of his country and extended all possible assistance to deal with tsunami. He said bilateral relations in defence, infrastructure and human resource have been expanded and hoped that mutual cooperation in other fields will also be increased as result of his visit. He termed his visit as opening of new era of cooperation between the two countries. He extended invitation to visit Maldives and participate in Independence Day celebrations. The prime minister also hosted luncheon in honour of the Maldivian president. Earlier, both the countries signed four MoUs which include strengthening mechanism to stop illicit drug trafficking and enhancing cooperation in the fields of education, health and sports.