The Edition
facebook icon twitter icon instagram icon linkedin icon

Latest

Maldives not on agenda for next EU Council meeting

Fathmath Shaahunaz
20 April 2018, MVT 13:01
A meeting of the EU council.
Fathmath Shaahunaz
20 April 2018, MVT 13:01

The European Union (EU) has decided against including the Maldives on its agenda for its council meeting slated for the end of this month.

Mihaaru understands that the EU Council had discussed adding the Maldives to its agenda during the sit-down held last Wednesday in preparation for its official meeting. However the EU had ultimately decided on India and Bangladesh for its agenda.

A government official of the Maldives told Mihaaru on Friday that the EU Council’s decision was a great victory for the government and local community, considering the political upsurge that came about in the wake of the Supreme Court’s shocking ruling on February 1 that called to release nine political prisoners and reinstate unseated legislators.

The official attributed the EU’s decision to the archipelago’s ongoing efforts to implement some of the proposals prompted by the union, including the Maldives extending an invitation to the EU to monitor its upcoming presidential elections and the continued work to strengthen the nation's judicial system.

“[The EU] has recognized various works of the government. They also want to work closely with us; and now we’re seeing the result of that.”

While the EU has excluded the Maldives from the agenda of its council meeting, the union had warned the Maldives on February 26 of actions that would be taken if the island nation did not execute the top court ruling to free political prisoners and adhere to democratic principles. Later the EU Parliament had passed a resolution to request the council to take action against the Maldives’ government leaders and connected magnates who were involved in anti-human rights activities in the country.

The government official who spoke to Mihaaru acknowledged that the political landscape of the Maldives is still turbulent. Thus he said that there was no guarantee yet that the EU would not decide on the Maldives for its following council meeting.

“Several politicians and judges are in prison and their trials are underway. While there are calls to take action against the government over that, it is a triumph for us that the EU has decided against discussing it at the next council meeting."

Share this story

Discuss

MORE ON NEWS