Government welcomes EU statement

Government Spokesperson Abbas Adil Riza has said today that the Maldivian government welcomes the statement issued by European Union (EU) yesterday.

Adil told Sun Online in an interview today that the government is making efforts to resolve the current internal issues. As EU had noted in the statement, work is underway for political reconciliation, for recommencement of all party talks in order to come to an agreement on election issues.

“We would like to say to EU, that we are doing everything possible to resolve our current internal problems. The government supports and welcomes their cooperation in these efforts,” he said.

Abbas said that following EU’s emphasis on early elections, discussions have been held with EU officials on this issue. If an early election is to be held, the government will encourage working in line with the existing constitution.

Abbas further said that dialogue between parties is interrupted due to MDP’s actions, and that the government is still working on engaging all parties in dialogue towards reconciliation.

MDP Parliamentary Group President and Hinnavaru MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih told reporters at a press conference yesterday that MDP will always give preference to dialogue, and that MDP has the capability to resolve problems through discussion.

A statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton released yesterday stresses the importance of political reconciliation and agreement on early elections in Maldives. They extended their support in these efforts.

EU urged all political parties to abstain from taking any action that could further complicate matters.

EU also said that the agreement on holding early elections, on the independent investigation of the transfer of power on 7 February, and on the reestablishment of the functioning of government and parliament are more important now than ever before.