EU sanctions will not affect me:Pres Yameen

President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom has stated that the presidency would not face any snags if the European Union (EU) implements sanctions against the Maldives.

In a speech delivered at Haa Alif Kelaa during an official visit to inaugurate the island's sewerage system, President Yameen stated that EU sanctions will majorly affect business by halting all Maldivian businesses operated outside of the country.

“They [EU] will not come to arrest the president, therefore, personally or rank wise, I will not be affected [by the sanctions]” stated President Yameen.

The president further said that businesses will deteriorate if the EU sanctions to freeze the assets abroad and impose travel bans on certain members of the government. Yameen further added that though the sanctions will not affect him personally, it adversely affects all leading members of the government.

During his speech, the president further highlighted that the public must not be “chained” around four political leaders and that the leaders must hold the capability to meet the demands of the public.

Whilst President Yameen has stated that EU sanctions will not affect him, the Foreign Affairs Council for EU has adopted a framework for restrictive sanctions against the country and against certain political leaders and their associates, to be put in effect if the current political situation further debilitates in their view.

EU, in the council held Monday, discussed its previously declared intent to “introduce targeted measures and sanctions against those in the country undermining human rights, and to freeze the assets abroad of, and impose travel bans on, certain members of the Maldivian Government and their leading supporters in the Maldivian business community”, if the conditions are not met within a yet-to-be specified period of time.

However, the council has thus far not made a decision to impose sanctions on any such individual, nor has it made the list of high profile individuals public.

In an earlier statement made by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, he criticised EU for calling on the government to curb its blatant stance against religions other than Islam prevailing in Maldives.