Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed holds talks with Maldives president

Tackling the pandemic and bolstering trade between the two countries was high on the agenda

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed , Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces (R), meets Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Maldives (L), at Al Shati Palace. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces (R), and Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Maldives (L), stand for a photograph during a meeting at Al Shati Palace. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, undersecretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed, attend a meeting with Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, President of the Maldives (not seen), at Al Shati Palace. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed held talks with the President of the Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, during his visit to the UAE.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces hosted the South Asian island nation's leader at Al Shati Palace in the capital.

They discussed efforts to bolster ties between the two countries and develop partnerships in keys sectors such as trade, investment and the economy.

The Covid-19 pandemic also featured high on the agenda during the high-level meeting.

Mr Solih thanked Sheikh Mohamed for the medical assistance provided to his country during the pandemic.

In June, the UAE delivered 72 tonnes of crucial medical supplies to the Maldives to assist more than 70,000 health workers in the fight against Covid-19.

As of Monday, the Maldives has recorded 13,867 Covid-19 cases, with 48 deaths.

Sheikh Mohamed conveyed his best wishes to the people of the Maldives.

The meeting was attended by several UAE dignitaries, including Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, chairman of Abu Dhabi Airports, and Mohamed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, undersecretary of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi.