President Danny Faure hosted a reception on the occasion of the state visit of His Excellency, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Republic of Maldives, and the First Lady, Fazna Ahmed at State House yesterday evening.

During the reception, President Faure extended a warm welcome to President Solih and expressed his wish that he leaves with fond memories of a sister island nation. 

“Excellency, your presence here today is testimony to the importance our sister Indian Ocean countries place in expanding an already fruitful and cordial friendship within our region. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations decades ago, our relationship has flourished into an excellent partnership, where together we have continued to progress on a path of common understanding, mutual respect and shared accomplishments.

Seychelles and Maldives may be regarded as small nations within the global community, but our dynamism, determination and perseverance have designated us as giants in our efforts to bring to the forefront key deliberations on the negative impacts of climate change, environmental degradation and the vulnerabilities of small island nations like our own. We owe it to the next generation of leaders to be responsible leaders of today,” added President Faure.

The President also congratulated Maldives on winning the bid to host the 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games, wishing them the best of success as they unite the people of the Indian Ocean through sports and continue with the legacy of creating lasting friendships and understanding.

President Solih thanked President Faure for the warm welcome and his remarks touched on the productivity of the visit, mentioning several different areas in which the two governments have agreed to collaborate, including sports, blue economy, fisheries, vocational training for youth, foreign ministry cooperation, tourism development, cooperation in climate change and general cooperation.

Present at State House for the reception was the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Francis Macgregor, Designated Minister, Mrs Macsuzy Mondon, the Leader of Government Business in the National Assembly, Honourable Charles De Comarmond, Ministers, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Honourable Ahmed Afif, Members of the National Assembly, members of the Diplomatic Corps and other distinguished guests.