Maldivian government has established diplomatic relations with the East African State of Eritrea.

The Joint Communiqué formalizing diplomatic relations between the two countries were signed at a special ceremony held at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations in New York.

Permanent Representative of the Republic of Maldives to the United Nations Thilmeeza Hussain, signed the communiqué on behalf of the Maldivian government, and the Permanent Representative of the State of Eritrea to the United Nations, Sophia Tesfamariam Yohannes, signed on behalf of the Government of Eritrea.

Eritrea is a north African country along the red sea coast sharing borders with Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti, with a population of approximately 3.2 million people.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that fostering partnerships with countries that respects and values the friendship remain a key priority of the foreign policy of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Following the establishment of diplomatic relations with Eritrea, the Maldives currently maintains diplomatic relations with 176 countries.