The Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to the Maldives Semih Lutfu Turgut has presented his Letters of Credence to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu during a special ceremony held at the President's Office. Ambassador Turgut was escorted to the President's Office from Republic Square in a traditional cultural procession known as "Haiykolhu," accompanied by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Drum and Trumpet Band.
During the ceremony, President Muizzu officially accepted the Letters of Credence from Ambassador Turgut and extended a heartfelt welcome to him as Türkiye’s representative to the Maldives. This significant event marks the beginning of a new phase in diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Following the presentation of credentials, President Muizzu and Ambassador Turgut engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation between Türkiye and the Maldives. The talks focused on several key areas including security cooperation, economic and trade relations, and advancements in the higher education sector.
President Muizzu reflected on his first State Visit to Türkiye in November of the previous year, expressing gratitude to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the Government of Türkiye for their ongoing support and assistance. The President emphasized the commitment of both countries to further enhance their bilateral relations and explore new opportunities for collaboration.
Diplomatic relations between the Maldives and the Republic of Türkiye were established on May 28, 1979. Ambassador Turgut is accredited to the Maldives as a non-resident Ambassador and is based in Colombo, Sri Lanka.