Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates Issues a Statement on the Current Political Issues in the Maldives

February 18, 2018

The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the United Arab Emirates has conveyed that they are following the current events in the Republic of Maldives and have expressed their concerns about the disturbances being caused to the security and stability of the Maldives In a statement issued on 16th February 2018. The statement notes that these events are an internal matter and that the Governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates hope for peaceful solutions to the current situation, through internal political dialogue between the parties concerned, without any external interference and within the Maldivian Constitution. Further, it states that the two countries welcome any positive steps in this context and that they renew their support in matters pertaining to the security and stability of the Maldives and its citizens.

Furthermore, as part of the support of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the Saudi Fund for Development and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development has pledged $160 Million in support of the Maldives and its brotherly people for the development projects including the airport development and fisheries sector of the Maldives.

The Government of Maldives expresses its gratitude for the close relationship it shares with the Governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The Maldives also appreciates the assistance provided to development initiatives of the Government of Maldives and is grateful to the Governments of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates for recognizing that the political issues that have arisen need to be solved internally within our Constitutional framework and sovereignty.