Parliament greenlights becoming a signatory to Samoa Agreement

The Parliament, on Sunday, has greenlighted signing the Samoa Agreement as a member of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu decided to submit the text of Samoa Agreement for parliamentary approval at the recommendation of his cabinet on June 24^th.

The Parliament scheduled an additional sitting on Sunday to hear the report formulated by the Foreign Relations Committee following their review of the President’s submission.

Chairperson of the Foreign Relations Committee Hassan Zareeer presented the Committee’s report at Sunday’s sitting, which greenlighted signing the agreement in light of the benefits Maldives will subsequently receive.

The Parliament subsequently greenlighted signing the agreement with the unanimous vote of 82 MPs in attendance.

The Samoa Agreement is the overarching framework for EU relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and focuses on six key priority areas to tackle the main challenges over the next two decades. They include human rights, democracy, and governance; peace and security; human and social development; inclusive, sustainable economic growth and development; environmental sustainability and climate change; and migration and mobility.

Maldives, by signing the agreement, would be able to access the opportunities provided by the European Union across different sectors more easily.

The President’s Office has said these opportunities would also lead to better prices for Maldivian fisheries products when exported internationally.

Zareer, while presenting the report, said the agreement will also serve as an opportunity for Maldives to strengthen ties with African Union and European Union (EU) nations.

He commended President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s commitment to work alongside other nations while Maldives, a small nation, is limited in resources.

He also commended President Muizzu’s efforts to strengthen ties with not just nations of one continent, but many, and in this trajectory, criticized the former administration for bolstering ties with nations of just one continent.