Ref: 2025/PR/194
The newly appointed Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of Maldives, Yahya Hassan Alqahtani paid a courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel today, following the presentation of his credentials to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, at a ceremony held yesterday at the President’s Office.
At the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this morning, Minister Dr. Khaleel welcomed Ambassador Alqahtani and congratulated him on his appointment as the resident Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Maldives. The Minister affirmed that Saudi Arabia is a valued and longstanding friend of the Maldives and expressed appreciation for the Kingdom’s continued support for the development of Maldives. Minister Dr. Khaleel further expressed gratitude to the Saudi leadership for including the Maldives in the ‘Makkah Route’ Initiative, noting that it significantly facilitated the Hajj journey for Maldivian pilgrims.
The Minister and the Ambassador discussed ways to further deepen the brotherly bonds between the two countries and to expand cooperation through both bilateral and multilateral avenues. Minister Khaleel expressed confidence that the Ambassador's tenure would contribute positively to further strengthening the enduring friendship and cooperation between the Maldives and Saudi Arabia.
Ambassador Alqahtani reaffirmed his commitment to work closely with the Government of the Maldives to advance the close bilateral relations between the two countries.
Foreign Minister Dr. Khaleel was accompanied by Secretary Dr. Hala Hameed, Ambassador at Large, Abdullah Hameed, Joint Secretary Khadeeja Najeeha, Senior Under Secretary Fathimath Naeema, and Deputy Desk Officer Fathmath Layana Ihusan.
ENDS