News Desk
MALE’ — A special envoy of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman arrived in the Maldives on Friday night to attend the country’s 61st Independence Day celebrations, at the invitation of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.
The envoy, Prince Dr Mansour bin Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, an adviser to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and a member of the Saudi cabinet, was received at Velana International Airport by Foreign Minister Irtishaam Adam and Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations Mohamed Naseer. A guard of honour was mounted by the Maldives Defence Force.
Independence Day falls on 26 July. A special cultural and sports programme is scheduled for Jumhooree Maidhan on Saturday evening, followed by a parade of government institution floats. The formal Independence Day ceremony will be held on the morning of the 26th.
The envoy’s visit comes as ties between the two countries have grown notably closer. Muizzu travelled to Saudi Arabia earlier last year to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with discussions covering investment, economic cooperation, private sector ties, agriculture, fisheries, artificial intelligence and information technology. A personal letter from Muizzu was also sent to the Crown Prince in February this year.
Photo credit: President’s Office
