His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu met with His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at Al-Mina Palace today.

During the meeting, the President conveyed his profound gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their exceptional hospitality and support. He also thanked them for the excellent services extended to all the pilgrims who performed Hajj this year.

Discussions centred on strengthening bilateral relations between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia. Their Excellencies exchanged views on avenues to further enhance the existing fraternal ties between the two nations in a manner that would prove mutually beneficial.

President Dr Muizzu was accompanied at the meeting by Minister of Finance and Treasury, Moosa Zameer; Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Abdulla Khaleel; Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation, Abdulla Rafiu; and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and the Chief of Protocol, Mohamed Shahudy.

The Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was accompanied by the Deputy Governor of Makkah His Royal Highness Prince Saud bin Mashal bin Abdul Aziz, Minister of Defense His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman, Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Highness Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of the National Guard, His Royal Highness Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior Affairs, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Minister of Sports, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal.

President Dr Muizzu and First Lady Madam Sajidha Mohamed, accompanied by a high-level delegation, are currently in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage. The delegation is being hosted by the Government of Saudi Arabia, in a gesture of hospitality that reflects the close brotherly relations shared between the Maldives and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.