President's Maldives visit a success on all fronts

by Mohammed NAALIR

President Mahinda Rajapaksa's recent visit to Maldives has helped in a big way to resolve the internal crisis of the country and paved the way for greater economic co-operation in the future, according to Maldives Foreign Minister Ahmed Shaheed.

The Foreign Minister held a media briefing at the Galle Face Hotel to explain the situation in Maldives.

Apart from helping resolve the political crisis in Maldives, Lankan President Rajapaksa and his Maldivian counterpart Mohamed Nasheed had talks on enhancing the fisheries sector of both countries, the Foreign Minister said.

Elaborating on the Maldivian crisis, he said that the country was now making every effort to stabilise the political situation.

He said Maldives created an all party committee comprising the Government and the Opposition.

Expressing confidence on stabilising the political and economic conditions in the archipelago the Foreign Minister invited Lankan investors to Maldives.

He said President Rajapaksa's visit also made an opening for greater cultural links between the two countries.