FM meets with EU delegation

22 December 2007
Report: Soodh

Foreign Minister Abdullah Shahid has met with the European Parliament Delegation who visited Maldives from the 19th to 21st of this month. In a meeting held the previous night at Kurunba Village, Minister Shahid warmly welcomed the delegation and highlighted on the friendly relations between the Maldives and the European Union. He also said that Maldives need assistance in development from friendly bodies such as the EU. He remarked that EU’s held is needed in the adaptation measures to be taken in regarding climate change and in introducing a modern democracy to the Maldives.

Robert Evans MEP, chairperson of the delegation said that Maldives is remarked as the most hopeful country from the South East Asia countries the delegation visited. He said that they are satisfied with the government reform agenda and would closely observe how it is going on. He also said that they would not say about what to do in the transition period, but it was for the Maldives to decide which way they would follow.

Vice Chair of the delegation Nerge Deva said that they are satisfied with the changes which had come to the Maldives in the last two years and they would request the European Commission to send observers for the 2008 Presidential elections in Maldives.

The European Parliament delegation also expressed their concern about drug abuse in Maldives and said that aid programs could be arranged in the near future. Minister Shahid said that the Maldives welcome this and it would be of great help for the work the government is doing against drugs.

Senior officials of the Foreign Ministry took part in this meeting and the delegation met the Maldivian press after this meeting.

The delegation has earlier met the government, the opposition and the civil societies. They also visited Laamu atoll to see Tsunami relief work.