President meets European Commission delegation

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom yesterday met with the members of the visiting European Commission delegation.

The members of the EU delegation assured their continued support towards democratization in Maldives, and reaffirmed their commitment to extending election observer support to the Maldives during the multiparty presidential election scheduled for later in the year.

President briefed the delegation of the current status of the democratic reform agenda and noted the work to redraft the new constitution was nearing completion. Highlighting the EU was a key stakeholder in the democratic reform process he thanked the EU for their support and assistance to Maldives in key national issues, including the democratic reform agenda and the post tsunami recovery program. He also emphasized the high priority that the government attached to ensuring that the presidential election was free, fair and peaceful.

President and the members of the delegation also discussed the establishment of a strategic alliance between the Maldives and the EU, and programming of EU aid to the Maldives in future.