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Committed to work with Maldives govt: C'wealth

8 December 2012

LONDON, 8 DEC: The Commonwealth remains committed to working with the Maldives Government to strengthen national institutions, advance the Commonwealth's values and principles and for inclusive and credible elections in 2013, its secretary-general has said.

The secretary-general Kamalesh Sharma was speaking following a teleconference with the Maldives foreign affairs minister Abdul Samad Abdullah, on Thursday.

Mr Sharma welcomed the Mr Abdullah's advice that Maldives Government looked forward to an early visit by the secretary-general's special envoy, Sir Donald McKinnon.

Mr Sharma reaffirmed the Commonwealth's commitment to work with the Maldives and other international partners in taking forward reform of key public institutions, and in implementing a programme of practical collaboration.

The secretary-general also welcomed the foreign minister's assurance of the Maldives' commitment to implementing the recommendations of the Commission of National Inquiry and looked forward to all the recommendations being advanced meaningfully.

“It continues to be important that there is even-handed implementation of all the recommendations in the report of the Commission of National Inquiry, including investigations into allegations of police brutality and acts of intimidation,” the secretary-general said.

Mr Sharma emphasised that the Presidential elections in 2013 should be inclusive and credible, with political space and a level-playing field for all political parties and actors, and appreciated the commitment conveyed to him by the minister in this regard.

The secretary-general underlined the importance to the Commonwealth of constructive political dialogue towards this end.