The Maldives and Azerbaijan have signed an agreement granting visa-free entry for ordinary passport holders of both nations, allowing stays of up to 90 days.

The agreement was signed in New York on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Foreign Minister Dr Abdulla Khaleel signed on behalf of the Maldives, while his Azerbaijani counterpart, Minister Jayhun Bayramov, signed on behalf of Azerbaijan.

Officials said the arrangement expands on the existing unilateral visa-free regimes between the two countries and complements an agreement signed last year that exempted holders of diplomatic and official passports from visa requirements for short stays.