ISLAMABAD: Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has reiterated his support for hosting of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Summit in Islamabad. “Both the countries have agreed to further promote bilateral cooperation through the SAARC,” said a joint communique issued at the conclusion of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to Maldives on Thursday. The three-day official visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Maldives at the invitation of President Yameen has provided impetus to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. Both sides acknowledged that bilateral relations between the Maldives and Pakistan were characterised by cordiality, mutual respect and commonality of interests. The visit of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to Maldives has provided impetus to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries, it stated. On Wednesday, the PM participated in the 52nd Independence Day celebrations of Maldives, as the chief guest. The PM congratulated the people and the government of Maldives on the auspicious occasion of its independence. “The Maldives and Pakistan enjoy historical and close neighbourly relations based on mutual understanding, goodwill and Islamic brotherhood. The two leaders agreed to work together to strengthen the solidarity of the Muslim Ummah and promote the true values of Islam internationally.” During the visit, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held official talks with President Yameen and discussed ways of further strengthening the bilateral cooperation and people to people contacts. The two leaders also discussed ways on further enhancing cooperation at both regional and international forums. A number of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)/agreements were signed during the visit with the aim of enhancing cooperation in the fields of tourism, climate change, trade, education, and civil service cooperation and for capacity building of diplomats. In addition, joint working committees were constituted to oversee the implementation of MOUs signed between the Maldives and Pakistan. An agreement was signed between the Foreign Service Institute of Maldives and the Foreign Service Academy of Pakistan. Other MoUs were also signed for cooperation in the fields of climate change and environmental protection between the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Maldives and the Ministry of Climate Change of Pakistan and cooperation on the matters of a Maldives-Pakistan Joint Business Council between the Ministry of Economic Development and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI). A MoU was signed between the government of Maldives and the government of Pakistan on matters relating to tourism. Another MoU was signed between the Maldives National University and the Virtual University of Pakistan whereas another agreement was inked between the Civil Service Commission, Maldives and the National School of Public Policy, Pakistan. President Yameen welcomed and thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for Pakistan’s continued investment in the development of the Maldives, and invited investors to seize the opportunities to contribute further. President Yameen assured security and safety for foreign investments, and highlighted the work carried out by the government to strengthen investor confidence. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s positive economic growth and underscored its policies for the security and safety of foreign investment and increasing investor confidence in Pakistan. Both leaders welcomed the establishment of the Maldives – Pakistan Joint Business Council and Joint Working Group on Trade, as mechanisms that will promote business, trade and investment cooperation, enhance collaboration between private sector operators as well as strengthen institutional relations. Published in Daily Times, July 28th , 2017.