MALAYSIA and Maldives have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in culture, arts and heritage, in conjunction with the island nation’s Independence Day.

The MoU was signed by Tourism and Culture Ministry secretary-general Ab. Ghaffar A. Tambi and Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to Malaysia Mohamed Fahmy Hassan.

The signing ceremony was held today at the Malaysia Tourism Centre and witnessed by ministry senior officials and Maldives embassy staff.

Malaysia and Maldives, apart from being Islamic countries, share similarities in culture and arts.

The ministry, in a statement, said with the signing of the MoU, bilateral relations would be enhanced through cooperation in culture, arts and heritage, and the principles of mutual respect and benefit, sovereignty and reciprocity would be strengthened.

It said such cooperation provide opportunities for the peoples of both countries to learn about each other’s distinctive culture and tradition. – Bernama, July 26, 2017.