EU supports Opposition Alliance

21 December 2007
Report: Soodh

The formation of the new opposition alliance coalition is a very welcome development, the European Parliament Delegation which arrived Maldives on the19th of this month has stated.
In a Press Statement released by the delegation, they say that opposition alliance would force the finalization of the road map, even if hits obstacles within the Majlis and elsewhere.

In a press conference held last night at Kurunba Village, the chairperson of the delegation Robert Evans MEP, replying to a question by press regarding the formation of a transition government said that it was for the Maldivians to decide what they would include in the new constitution. He said that different models of transition period are followed in different parts of the world and it is advised for Maldives to choose which suits us most. He said that the European Parliament looks forward to free and fair elections which President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has promised.

Robert said that they have confidence with the government would hold a free and fair elections, but the government must not use their powers to influence the elections.

The European Parliament Delegation underlined the importance of election observation from all available sources including the Commonwealth, US, NGOs and EU. The Parliamentarians committed to remain engaged in the reform and lead up to the elections as well as to carry back the Maldives’ request for election observation support from the European Commission.