Local

China: China-Maldives working towards early ratification of the FTA.

Published

2 years ago

11/01/2022

MNN

Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Wang Wenbin has stated that China and Maldives will be working towards an early ratification and entry into force of the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement. The Free Trade Agreement was signed on 08^th December 2017 under former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration but was blocked under the current administration with its leaders being vocally against it.

Speaking at the weekly press conference held by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Spokesperson Wang Wenbin stated that China will support the Maldives in exploring its marine economy and addressing climate change issues. He also stated that China will be working with the Maldives towards an early ratification and entry into force of the China-Maldives Free Trade Agreement.

However, the leaders of the current administration as both the opposition during President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom’s administration and in power have been vocally critical of the FTA. Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail and Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has been vocally against the FTA calling to revoke the agreement. Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed stated on 19^th November 2018 that the current administration has plans to revoke the FTA.

Furthermore, on 10^th January 2022 Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail stated that even if the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi calls to ratify the China-Maldives FTA, the current administration will not move forward with it. He stated that his views on the FTA will not change.

Economic Minister Fayyaz Ismail has stated in the past that the FTA was in favor of China and that there would be not much benefit for the Maldives from the agreement. He also alleged that the Parliament had not researched the FTA well before passing a resolution in favor of it.

Moreover, former Foreign Minister turned current Health Minister Ahmed Naseem and Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has accused China of thrusting the Maldives into a debt trap, a rhetoric based on which President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s Presidential campaign was built around. Both Minister Ahmed Naseem and Speaker of the Parliament Mohamed Nasheed has accused China of developing military bases in 16 islands in the Maldives.

While the current administration’s anti-China sentiments still linger, it’s commitment towards enhancing the bilateral relation between the two nations is seen as gradually improving.

Local

Nasheed to form new party

Published

12 months ago

17/05/2023

The main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s leader Mohamed Nasheed has decided to form a new political party.

Nasheed initiated a separate political movement within MDP, ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’, following his loss in MDP’s presidential primary held back in January. After major conflicts with the government and its policies – all lawmakers from the faction tendered their resignation from MDP on Wednesday.

The move came after Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim was expelled from the party on Tuesday and banned from rejoining for at least one year over involvement in opposition political activities surrounding the Chagos archipelago dispute.

The 12 members who resigned from MDP on Wednesday are;

Parliament’s Deputy Speaker, North Galolhu MP Eva Abdulla
Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed (Wadde)
North Maafannu MP Imthiyaz Fahumy (Inthi)
West Henveiru MP Hassan Latheef
Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb
North Kulhudhuffushi MP Yasir Abdul Latheef
Vilufushi MP Hassan Afeef
Central Maafannu MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde)
Madaveli MP Hussain Firushan
Thoddoo MP Hassan Shiyan (Gita)
North Mahchangoalhi MP Mohamed Rasheed (Boadhigu)
Gadhdhoo MP Ahmed Zahir
All 12 members are close acquittances of Nasheed. MP Hassan Latheef, during a meeting at Bodufenvalhuge on Wednesday, announced Nasheed’s decision to form a new political party. The meeting was attended by supporters of Nasheed.

Should Nasheed form a new political party, that party would be the largest opposition party in terms of members in the parliament, thereby, the minority party. The minority party at present, opposition PPM-PNC coalition has only eight members in the parliament.

Despite the resignation of the 12 MPs, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih continues to hold full control of the Parliament with 56 MPs.

Source(s): sun.mv

Local

MPs loyal to Nasheed leave MDP

Published

12 months ago

17/05/2023

Multiple members of the main ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) loyal to the party’s leader Mohamed Nasheed have left the party.

The members who resigned from MDP include 12 MPs. They include Deputy Speaker Eva Abdulla, MP Mohamed Waheed, MP Imthiyaz Fahmy (Inthi), MP Hassan Latheef, MP Ilyas Labeeb, MP Yasir Abdul Latheef, MP Hassan Afeef, MP Ibrahim Rasheed (Bonde), MP Hussain Firushan, MP Hassan Shiyan, MP Mohamed Rasheed (Boadhigu), and MP Ahmed Zahir.

They submitted their resignation letters Wednesday.

The move comes after MDP’s parliamentary group had requested action against Inthi, Hassan Latheef, Ilyas, Yasir, and Central Henveiru MP Ali Azim earlier this week, for forming an alliance with the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), Jumhoory Party (JP) and Maldives National Party (MNP), after accusing the government of failure to protect the interests of the Maldivian people in the case lodged with the International Tribunal of the Law of the Seas (ITLOS) over the disputed maritime territory between Maldives and Mauritius.

The party’s disciplinary committee decided to expel Azim from the party on Tuesday.

They are all members of Nasheed’s ‘Fikuregge Dhirun’ faction.

However, Nasheed has yet to resign from the party.

Despite the resignation of the 12 MPs, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih continues to hold full control of the Parliament with 56 MPs.

Source(s): sun.mv

Local

The Cambodian Prime Minister arrives in the Maldives on an official visit

Published

1 year ago

15/01/2023

The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, arrived Sunday morning on an official visit to the Maldives at the invitation of H.E. President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. It is Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen’s first visit to the Maldives.

The Cambodian Prime Minister and accompanying delegation were received at Velana International Airport (VIA) by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdulla Shahid (ODRI). The government will hold a ceremony on Monday to officially welcome the Cambodian Prime Minister to the Maldives.

During the visit, President Solih would meet with Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen and hold official talks on strengthening bilateral cooperation, followed by the exchange of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the two countries. President Solih and the Cambodian Prime Minister would also deliver a joint statement on the outcomes of their discussions.

The Maldives and Cambodia established diplomatic relations on September 21, 1995.

Source(s): President Office.