Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid met Senator Christopher Van Hollen Jr. of the United States Senate, today.
During the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Shahid welcomed the Senator to the Maldives and reflected on the significance of the visit, which marked the first-ever official visit from a Congressional Delegation.
The discussions between Minister Shahid and Senator Van Hollen focused on a wide range of issues, including digital infrastructure and cyber security, defence and security, democracy and good governance and human resource development.
Both Minister Shahid and Senator Van Hollen agreed on the need to increase higher education opportunities from American universities and academic exchanges between the two countries and reiterated commitments towards achieving it.
Before concluding the meeting, Minister Shahid extended special gratitude to the Senator for his late father’s contribution to the advancement of the Maldives-US partnership during his tenure as the Ambassador of the United States of America to the Maldives, serving from 10 December 1972 to 26 April 1976.
Minister Shahid was accompanied at the meeting by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ahmed Khaleel, Foreign Secretary Ahmed Latheef, Ambassador of the Maldives to the United States of America Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed, Secretary, of Bilateral Dr Hala Hameed, Secretary, of Economic Cooperation Dr Hussain Niyaaz, Joint Secretary Shiuneen Rasheed, Director Adam Hamid and Desk Officer Saifulla Waleed.
