Economic self-sufficiency a prerequisite for an independent foreign policy, says President

President Yameen Abdul Gayoom has said that a country can only have an independent foreign policy if it is economically self-sufficient, and able to make its own decisions.

The president made this remark while speaking at a ceremony held at President’s Office today to inaugurate the government’s foreign policy.

He also highlighted the importance, as part of a country’s foreign policy, of increasing job opportunities for locals and facilitating foreign aid.

The foreign policy introduced today is based on five major targets. They are defending the country’s sovereignty, defending Islamic principles, increasing self-sufficiency, increasing cooperation with South Asian countries, improving services to Maldivians living abroad, and strengthening foreign affairs operations.

Under the new policy, efforts will be made to establish agreements to facilitate visa-free travel to countries frequented by Maldivians, to create a law on foreign services, and to establish a Foreign Services Institute.

Today’s ceremony was attended by the Vice President and Ministers.