Commonwealth looks forward to welcoming the Maldives back into the family

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency Abdulla Shahid met with Rt Hon Patricia Scotland, Secretary-General of Commonwealth this afternoon to discuss the impending accession of the Maldives to re-join the Commonwealth.

During the meeting, Minister Shahid highlighted that one of the key pledges of His Excellency President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih is to re-join the Commonwealth. Minister thanked the Secretary General for the positive response received with regard to the request of expediting the process of Maldives re-joining the Commonwealth. Minister Shahid assured that the Maldives is ready to proceed with the accession procession and will provide full cooperation to the assessment due to take place in order to proceed with the membership process.

The Secretary General stated that she looks forward to welcoming the Maldives back into the Commonwealth family and assured all measures will be taken to complete formalities for the Maldives to re-join as soon as possible. Further, the Secretary General offered to send a Commonwealth observer mission for the upcoming Parliamentary Elections.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs His Excellency Mr Ahmed Khaleel also attended the meeting.