MALE, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday concluded an official visit to the Maldives after taking part in the Indian Ocean conference and signing key agreements between the two countries.

Local media reports said that during his visit, Wickremesinghe held extensive discussions with Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and the two countries signed agreements to formalize the two countries' increased cooperation in the fields of higher education, social cooperation and youth development.

The two countries also renewed an agreement on visa arrangement which will make it easier for business entrepreneurs from both countries to travel for business purposes, and facilitate multiple entry visas for the parents and legal guardians of Maldivians studying in Sri Lanka.

During his visit, the prime minister also addressed the Maldives parliament and chaired the 4th edition of the Indian Ocean Conference (IOC) during which he invited senior dignitaries from across the Indian Ocean Region to deliberate on the main security threats and challenges confronting the region.