Maldives has reiterated support for the advocacy of full Palestinian statehood and the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination.
The statement was made by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives Abdulla Shahid, during his meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the State of Palestine Riyad al-Maliki, in New York on May 20.
During the meeting held on the sidelines of the joint debate on the “situation in the middle east” at the United Nations General Assembly, Minister Shahid and Minister Al-Maliki reflected on the long history of bilateral relations between the two countries, and the fraternal warmth and affection shared between the people of Maldives and Palestine. Minister Shahid reiterated the unwavering support of Maldives in advocating for full Palestinian statehood and the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to self-determination; and conveyed a message of solidarity from the President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the people of the Maldives to President Mahmoud Abbas and people of Palestine.
Minister al-Maliki thanked Minister Shahid for the sentiments and stated the people of Palestine take strength from the people of the Maldives in this hard time. Minister Shahid further re-affirmed that the Maldives position on Palestine will remain unchanged and that it will continue to be a staunch advocate for protecting the human rights and dignity of the Palestinian people in the international arena.
In the sidelines of the UNGA debate, Minister Shahid also met with other foreign ministers who attended the joint debate. During the meetings, Shahid and the other foreign ministers exchanged views on the current global situation of COVID-19 and discussed the economic and financial impacts due to the pandemic including vaccination programmes in their respective countries. The foreign ministers also reassured strengthening the bilateral cooperation between both countries and committed to enhance collaboration at the multilateral fora to address global issues of mutual importance.