Local

Chinese, Maldives FMs meet on sidelines of UNGA session

Published

2 years ago

26/09/2022

MNN

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met here on Saturday with Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid on the sidelines of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.

Wang congratulated Shahid on his successful performance of his duties as the president of the UN General Assembly, as he made positive contributions to the development of the UN cause and tackling global challenges, which helped the Maldives improve its international status and influence.

Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the Maldives, Wang said that over the past half century, the two sides have upheld the spirit of good-neighborliness, treated each other as equals, developed through cooperation, reached out to each other, and tided over difficulties together.

He also said that China highly appreciates the Maldives for understanding and supporting China’s just propositions on issues concerning China’s core interests and major concerns. China also supports the Maldives in safeguarding sovereignty, independence and national dignity, and will continue to uphold justice for the Maldives in the international arena, Wang added.

For his part, Shahid expressed his gratitude to China for giving his country precious support in infrastructure, education, energy and other fields for a long time. The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge co-built by the two sides has brought a sea change to the Maldives, greatly accelerating the country’s economic development and bringing benefits to its people, he said.

Shahid stressed that the one-China principle is a firm consensus of the Maldivian government, and the Maldives will always firmly abide by it. The one-China principle is also the international consensus confirmed by the UN General Assembly resolution, he added.

As the president of the UN General Assembly, Shahid said he has made a special press statement to express his position. He also thanked China for the strong support during his presidency of the UN General Assembly, looks forward to continuing strengthening coordination with China on multilateral affairs.

Wang said that China and the Maldives have enjoyed the tradition of mutual understanding and support, and China appreciates the Maldives’ adherence to the one-China principle, adding that on issues concerning sovereignty, no double standard can be tolerated.

He mentioned now that some countries flaunt respect for national sovereignty, they should match their words with their deeds, stressing that on the Taiwan question, China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be equally respected, “Taiwan independence” separatist activities must be clearly opposed and any form of official exchanges with Taiwan must be cut off.

The two sides also vowed to continue to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and accelerate the ratification of a free trade agreement, so as to inject more stable and positive expectations into bilateral cooperation.

Source: Xinhua

Local

Nasheed to form new party

Published

11 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

11 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.