European Commission President welcomes political developments in the Maldives

17 August 2007

Reference Number: 2007-5

Malé, May 2, 2007 (Wednesday) –

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has received a letter from the President of the European Commission, Jos� Manuel Barroso, in which President Barroso welcomed political developments in the Maldives during 2006 and highlighted the strong bilateral relationship that exists between the EU and the Maldives.

The note came in response to a letter sent by the President to Mr. Barroso, in which he provided an overview of major developments in the Maldives during 2006 and re-emphasised the Government’s commitment to oversee further democratic progress in 2007.

In his reply, President Barroso referred in particular to the publication of the Roadmap for the Reform Agenda and the subsequent measures taken according to this calendar. He recognised these "important developments" and encouraged the Government to continue along the path of reform, culminating in free and fair election during the last quarter of 2008.

The Commission President said that these and other initiatives over the course of the year represented "significant steps towards establishing a lasting, liberal and democratic system for all the people of the Maldives", and went on to offer European Community support for the process, for example through technical assistance ahead of the 2008 elections.

President Barroso also reiterated the European Commission’s determination to help the Maldives recover fully from the Asian tsunami and noted, in that respect, the significant progress that has been made. He stated that the �19.7 million in humanitarian and reconstruction aid, together with the �50 million European Investment Bank loan for rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts made the EU one of the most significant contributors to the Maldives’ post-tsunami reconstruction efforts.

President Barroso also used his letter to look forward to the publication of the EU’s new Country Strategy Paper for the Maldives (to cover the period 2007-2013) which will guide European support for further economic and social development in the Maldives.

He concluded by re-emphasizing the EU’s determination to support democratisation and good governance in order to "help the Maldives build a full democracy", and to "continuing the privileged relationship between the EU and the Maldives in the future".

Speaking after the receipt of the letter, Chief Government Spokesman, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, said:

"The Government warmly welcomes the EU’s continued interest in developments in the Maldives. The EU is one of the Maldives’ most important international partners across a range of areas including governance, environmental protection, tsunami recovery, and economic and social development, and we are pleased to note that our bilateral relationship continues to go from strength to strength."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

For inquiries, please call the Chief Government Spokesman, Mr. Mohamed Hussain Shareef, on (+960) 7773394.

Report: Velidhoo Community

Courtesy: The President's Office