Minister Shahid concludes his visit to London

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency Abdulla Shahid concludes his official visit to London from 26 to 29 January 2019.

During the visit, Minster Shahid held fruitful discussions with officials of the Government of United Kingdom. Today, Minister Shahid met with Minister of State for Commonwealth and UN at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Lord Ahmed of Wimbledon and Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Rt Hon Mark Field. The Ministers discussed ways of further strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries. Minister Shahid conveyed the government’s decision to upgrade the Maldives mission in London by deputing a resident Ambassador and expressed sincere appreciation of the Government of Maldives for the UK Government’s decision in opening a British Embassy in the Maldives.

Minister Shahid also addressed the 29th Governing Council Meeting of Community of Democracies. In his statement Minister mentioned the struggle of Maldives in attaining democracy. He also highlighted on the wish of Maldivian people to rejoin the Commonwealth.

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Commonwealth Assessment Team Arrives in Maldives, Calls on Foreign Secretary

The Commonwealth Secretariat Staff Team on an assessment mission to evaluate the Maldives’ membership application to the organization has arrived in the Maldives today. During the meeting held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Mr. Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed, Foreign Secretary, welcomed the team to the Maldives and expressed the desire of the Government to re-join the Commonwealth as a Member State.

Foreign Secretary Ghafoor mentioned that the Maldives has benefitted immensely in the past from being a member of the 53-member state organization, and had been able to contribute to important global discussions on human rights, sustainable development, climate change, and democratic consolidation as a member of the Commonwealth. The objective of re-joining the Commonwealth has been high on the agenda of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s Government, and an expression of interest was sent to the Commonwealth Secretary-General in December 2018. Since then, the His Excellency Mr. Abdulla Shahid had met with the Commonwealth Secretary-General in London on the 27th of January.

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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.

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Foreign Minister Shahid meets the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs of the UN

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid met with the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs of the United Nations, Mr. Miroslav Jenča today. 

At the meeting held at the United Nations, Foreign Minister Shahid briefed the Assistant Secretary-General on the priorities of the new government and discussed potential future programs for cooperation.

Minister Shahid was accompanied in the meeting by Mr. Ahmed Khaleel, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed, Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the UN and senior officials at the Permanent Mission of the Maldives to the United Nations in New York.

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Foreign Minister Shahid meets the United Nations Secretary General

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid met with the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. António Guterres today. 

At the meeting held at the Office of the Secretary General at the United Nations, Foreign Minister Shahid thanked the Secretary General for his support to the Maldives, especially in its democratic transition. 

Speaking on the priorities of the new government of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Foreign Minister briefed the Secretary General of the government’s two focus areas – it’s reform agenda, and its agenda for socio-economic development of the Maldives.

While highlighting the issues of critical importance to the Maldives internationally, Minister Shahid briefed the Secretary General of the initiatives lead by the Maldives at the UN. The Minister assured the Secretary General that the Maldives will continue its advocacy and activism on the most challenging issues to the Maldives and other small states, such as climate change.
Secretary General Guterres congratulated the Maldives on a peaceful transition of power and commended the Maldives on its leadership at global forums on its advocacy, especially on climate change.

Minister Shahid was accompanied in the meeting by Mr. Ahmed Khaleel, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed, Permanent Representative of the Maldives to the UN and senior officials at the Permanent Mission of the Maldives to the United Nations in New York.

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