The Maldivian government hosted a special reception at the Republic Square to welcome the President of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, and his wife, Linda Ramkalawan, on Monday.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and First Lady Fazna Ahmed personally greeted the Seychellois President and First Lady upon their arrival at the Presidential Jetty in Malé.
A group of Maldivian students performed a welcoming ceremony, and then the guests were escorted to the saluting platform.
The Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) honored them with a 21-gun salute, while the military brass band played the national anthems of both the Maldives and Seychelles.
In the presence of a guard of honor, senior officials from the Maldivian government and representatives from the Seychellois government came together.
Following the formal reception, President Ramkalawan was accompanied in a cultural procession to the President’s Office. Once there, he signed the Visitors’ Book.
Later on, President Ramkalawan is scheduled to have official discussions with President Solih. The two leaders will oversee the signing of agreements and make a joint statement after the talks. President Solih will also host a state luncheon in honor of the President and First Lady of Seychelles.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid welcomed the Seychellois First Couple and their delegation at Velana International Airport (VIA) upon their arrival yesterday.
The visit by President Ramkalawan to the Maldives underscores the strong relationship between the two countries.
It is expected that this visit will foster further collaboration between the Maldives and the Seychelles. Diplomatic relations between the two nations were established on July 1, 1980.
