The Bhutanese Prime Minister, Jigme Thinley, has invited President Mohamed Nasheed to attend the 16th SAARC Summit to be held in Bhutan.

The letter of invitation was presented to the President by the Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Bhutan, Mr Lyonpo Ugyen Tshering, this afternoon during a meeting held at the President’s Office.

The President thanked Prime Minister Jigme Thinley, and confirmed the acceptance of the invitation.

Discussions were focused on the existing close, friendly relations between the Maldives and Bhutan, as well as on challenges facing SAARC.

Noting the importance of enhancing the role of SAARC through greater cooperation among the member-countries, the President said that the SAARC Summit should be more result-oriented. He also said that the Summit should promote commerce among member countries.

The President commended His Majesty Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck for providing the main impetus for political reform in Bhutan.

Mr Tshering congratulated President Nasheed for the democratisation of the Maldives and expressed confidence that the Maldives would attain greater development and prosperity under the President’s leadership.