Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid, on Wednesday, while addressing the Parliament, claimed that former president Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom's administration spent MVR 27 million as travel expenses.
Minister Shahid was summoned to the parliament by 'Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party' (DRP) leader and Kaashidhoo MP Abdulla Jabir, in order to be questioned over pledges to renew diplomatic relations between Qatar.
Moreover, the lawmaker also questioned the minister over various diplomatic travels undertaken by the ministry.
The top diplomat recorded a total of MVR 7.5 million as expenses from the Foreign Ministry's budget, while the former administration spent MVR 27 million in 2018 alone.
While Yameen's government received MVR 1.9 billion in aid throughout his term, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's administration has successfully secured the same amount within the first 100-days of the presidency, said the minister.
While highlighting the need for foreign ministries to conduct diplomatic visits, he criticized the lack of transparency within the previous administration for failing to clearly disseminate information regarding its travels.
Since President Solih came to power on November 17, 2018, the minister has officially visited 19 countries, calling on seven presidents, six prime ministers, 33 foreign ministers and 48 ambassadors.
As a result of various visits to foreign nations, Minister Shahid noted that over 60 delegates from 35 countries and 28 international organizations took part in the recently held 'Maldives Partnership Forum 2019' in June.
Moreover, he announced that the Vice President of the European Union (EU) Frans Timmermans is scheduled to visit the country in August.
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