Baku: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has sent a congratulatory letter to the President of the Republic of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, on the occasion of Independence Day, APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the letter expressed Aliyev's sincere congratulations and best wishes to President Muizzu and the people of the Maldives. He highlighted the positive dynamics in the development of bilateral relations and the expansion of mutually beneficial cooperation between Azerbaijan and the Maldives. Recent initiatives, such as the establishment of direct flights and mutual visa exemption for ordinary passport holders, have significantly boosted people-to-people contacts, particularly in tourism.

President Aliyev emphasized the importance of continuing efforts to strengthen the friendly relations between the two nations, which are celebrating the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year. He expressed hope that these relations would be further enriched with new cooperative endeavors of mutual interest. In closing, Aliyev wished President Muizzu good health, happiness, success, and ongoing peace and prosperity for the people of the Maldives.