Male, December 20 (newsin.asia): Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen and the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak on Wednesday expressed a shared belief in instituting “moderation” as an important ingredient in the world’s approach to combating violent extremism.
In a joint communiqué issued at the end of the visit of the Malaysian Prime Minister to the Indian Ocean archipelago, the two leaders said that they agreed that while countering terrorism, countries should promote dialogue and show mutual respect and understanding.
Prime Minister Razak appreciated the Maldives’ support for, and co-sponsorship of, Malaysia’s resolution in the UN General Assembly on “moderation” in dealing with issues of terrorism.
The resolution had been adopted during the recent 72 nd., Session of the world body.
However, the two leaders “unequivocally reaffirmed their commitment to the fight against terrorism” and expressed their resolve to redouble their joint efforts to combat the menace of terrorism in all forms and manifestations.
They exchanged views on the situation in Palestine and the situation in the Rakhine State in Myanmar involving Rohingya Muslims, and agreed to collaborate more closely on these issues.
Promoting True Islamic Values
Yameen and Razak also pledged to “increase collaboration to strengthen the solidarity of the Muslim Ummah and promote the true values of Islam internationally.”
This task devolves on the Maldives and Malaysia as they are two “peace loving Islamic nations,” the leaders explained.
Towards Strategic Partnership
Yameen and Razak expressed their strong and unwavering commitment to propel bilateral relations to a “more mutually beneficial strategic partnership.”
Four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the visit namely MoU on the Establishment of the Maldives Cultural Centre in Malaysia, MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Health, MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Higher Education and MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Fire Fighting and Rescue Training.
Maldives and Malaysia agreed to set up an appropriate mechanism that will promote business, trade and investment cooperation as well as enhance collaboration between private sector operators.
Tourism Promotion
The Maldives and Malaysia being two well-known tourism destinations in the world, the two leaders discussed the potential for win-win cooperation in the area of tourism and hospitality and agreed to enhance exchanges in the tourism sector, especially in capacity building.
In the area of education and technical cooperation, President Yameen thanked Prime Minister Razak for the important role Malaysia is playing in the human resources development of the Maldives. Malaysia is currently home to a large number of Maldivian students.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction that the MoU on Cooperation in the Field of Higher Education will facilitate greater cooperation in this regard.
Cooperation in Health
The leaders agreed to cooperate closely in the field health and expressed satisfaction that the signing of the MoU on cooperation in the field of health will pave the way for capacity building in the health sector.
Recognizing climate change as the biggest threat to development, both leaders underscored the importance of implementing the Paris Agreement and agreed to work closely to implement the commitments undertaken in Paris in 2015.
(The featured image at the top shows the Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and the Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen witnessing the signing of several MoU)
