European Parliament: Hopeful for democratic development so sanctions will not be necessary

Delegation from European Parliament who are in Maldives has said that they were hopeful Maldives would resolve issues and develop democratic values so that sanctions against the country would not be necessary.

Speaking during a press conference held at Hotel Jen on Tuesday, British representative for European Parliament Richard Cobbett said that they did not want to have to press sanctions against Maldives.

“…We don’t want to press sanctions. The first resolution passed last year does not call for that. It is there in the second resolution that was passed. We are here in Maldives this week. We have talked with all parties and heard their voices. We have made our initial assessment. We will go back to Brussels and think about this from all angles. We hope to see democratic development in Maldives so that we do not have to go for this option,” said Cobbett.

Cobbett said that the purpose of the European Parliament delegation’s visit to Maldives was to prove that they wanted to hear everyone’s voices and open a genuine dialogue with everyone in order to develop democratic values in the country.

“…We have said it during our discussions as well. And we know say it publicly as well, that Europe does not have any bias towards a particular party or particular political leader,” he said.

The delegation said that all political parties and government officials had been open for discussion. And that they had met with President Abdulla Yameen, Foreign Minister Dhunya Maumoon and Environment Minister Thoriq Ibrahim, as well as all political parties and civil societies in the country.