Tag: president yameen

Participation in Silk Road initiative would threaten Indian Ocean security, contends Nasheed

The Maldives’ participation in the Chinese ’21st Century Maritime Silk Road’ initiative would threaten regional security in the Indian Ocean, contends former President Mohamed Nasheed.

Speaking at a Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) rally last night, the opposition leader said President Abdulla Yameen was heading towards disrupting regional security with his willingness to participate in the silk route initiative, which passes through the Maldives.

“There’s no need for a route of a particular people here. This country belongs to Maldivians,” he said, noting that traders from many countries have visited the Maldives for thousands of years.

The Maldives throughout its long history has served the Indian Ocean and people from various countries, including China, Nasheed continued, who were welcome to visit and dock their vessels in the country.

The Maldives should not participate in an initiative to facilitate trade and growth of a specific nation, he said.

According to China’s Xinhua News Agency, the Maritime Silk Road – linking China to the east coast of Africa and the Mediterranean – and a separate overland Silk Road will bring “new opportunities and a new future to China and every country along the road that is seeking to develop.”

“The Maldives welcomes and supports the proposal put forward by China to build the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, and is prepared to actively participate in relevant cooperation,” read a joint communique issued during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent state visit.

President Yameen also told the press that the Maldives was “honoured to now feature among China’s partners in building the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road – a unique vision of President Xi, which will bring Asian neighbours closer together.”

China’s rising economic presence in the Indian Ocean region has stoked concerns in New Delhi that China is creating a “string of pearls” that surrounds India and threatens its security, including Chinese investments in ports and other key projects in Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

Asked if closer ties with China would adversely impact relations with India or Japan, President Yameen told reporters upon returning from a visit to China in August that Sino-Maldives economic cooperation would not affect “the very friendly, close relations with India”.

“All these projects are also open to India and we are doing a lot of diplomatic work with India,” he said, referring to his administration’s decision not to sign a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the United States as an example of cooperation.

Nasheed went on to say that the Maldives should ensure its independence as well as the regional security of the Indian Ocean, which was a longstanding duty of Maldivian leaders.

“For hundreds of years, leader after leader has upheld the interest of the Maldives along with the security of the Indian Ocean,” he said.

President Yameen’s willingness to participate in the initiative would mark a shift in non-aligned foreign policy, he added, calling on the president to reconsider the decision.

A “responsible Maldivian leader” would not jeopardise the country’s security by risking being caught in the middle of war or disputes between great powers, Nasheed said.

Maldivian foreign policy should not seek to benefit from strife and discord, he added.

“In my view, we should not under any circumstances base our foreign policy on playing or turning one nation against another,” he said.

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Former President Waheed Departs for UN General Assembly to New York

Former President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan departs for New York today to represent Maldives at the UN General Assembly.

Speaking to Haveeru, President’s Office spokesperson Ibrahim Muaz said that Waheed would be addressing the assembly on behalf of his successor President Abdulla Yameen.

“Waheed will be speaking on the 30th of this month and in his talk he would highlight some of the government’s policies and concerns,” said Muaz.

Accompanying Waheed will be a special envoy consisting of high government officials including Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon.

President Yameen was not able to take part in the General Assembly because he is due to leave for the Hajj pilgrimage on the 25th of this month.

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President Yameen meets Sri Lankan president to discuss diplomatic relations

President Abdulla Yameen met with Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday (September 19) to discuss relations between the two nations.

At a meeting held at Rajapaksa’s official residence in Sri Lanka, the two presidents acknowledged the strong diplomatic relations between the two countries and discussed further ways to strengthen ties.

They also spoke of the joint-commission meetings held between the two nations earlier this month and highlighted the main points discussed during the meeting and the importance of implementing the decisions made.

Rajapaksa also praised President Yameen on his recent initiatives such as the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and ‘ihaven’ aimed at transforming the Maldivian economy.

President Yameen’s visit comes soon after Chinese President Xi Jinpeng visited the two nations on his South Asian tour.

The Chinese visit to the Maldives saw the signing of eight MoUs most notably the agreements on the promotion of the Malé-Hulhulé bridge and the development of Ibrahim Nasir International Airport.

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President Yameen to attend International Conference of Asian Political Parties

President Abdulla Yameen is due to depart to Colombo, Sri Lanka today to attend the 8th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) at the invitation of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

“The General Assembly is scheduled to be held at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre, on Thursday, 19th September 2014,” explained the President’s Office in a statement.

“Following his visit to Sri Lanka, President Yameen will make an official visit to Singapore, at the invitation of Singaporean Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong. During his visit, the President will meet with the Prime Minister.”

President Yameen would be accompanied by Minister at the President’s Office Mohamed Hussain Shareef, and Minister of Tourism Ahmed Adeeb Abdul Ghafoor during his visits to Sri Lanka and Singapore.

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Chinese Presidents departs after historic visit

Chinese President Xi Jinpeng has departed from the Maldives this morning after concluding a historic first ever visit to the Maldives by a Chinese President.

China and Maldives signed eight different MoUs during Xi’s one day visit, most notably the agreements on the development of Ibrahim International Airport (INIA) and promoting the construction of the Malé-Hulhulé Bridge.

Maldives also agreed to actively take part in the 21st century maritime silk road linking china to the east coast of Africa and to the Mediterranean further strengthening the diplomatic ties with the Chinese Government.

Other agreements include a Chinese funded and implemented Hulhumale housing project and a 15.1 kilometer link road in southern Laamu Atoll.

President Xi said he would encourage Chinese investment and promised financial support for further projects in the Maldives. He also encouraged more Maldivians to visit China and said that the two governments should encourage travel exchanges.

Xi is due to visit Sri Lanka today and India tomorrow as part of his South Asia tour.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping due to visit Maldives

Chinese President Xi Jinping is due to arrive in the Maldives on an official state visit next week in the first ever trip to the country by a Chinese head of state.

“During his stay in the Maldives, President Xi will be officially ‎meeting President [Abdulla] Yameen one-on-one,” the President’s Office revealed in a statement.

“The two leaders will chair official talks between high-level delegations of the respective countries.‎”

A number of bilateral agreements “on advancing developmental corporation in various identified ‎fields” would be signed during the visit, the President’s Office said.

“Furthermore, two development projects in the Maldives that are ‎funded by the Chinese Government and implemented by Chinese ‎corporations will also be launched jointly by the two presidents,” the statement added.

President Yameen extended an invitation to visit the Maldives to Xi Jinping during official talks held in Nanjing last month.

A 200-strong delegation, including representatives from major Chinese companies, is expected to accompany the Chinese president.

Speaking at a Progressive Party of Maldives event on Thursday, President Yameen reportedly said that the imminent visit of one of the most influential world leaders was an honour for the Maldives.

China was a global economic powerhouse with one of the fastest growing economies in the world, Yameen noted.

“[Xi Jinping] is beginning his Asian tour in the Maldives. He is arriving one month to the day after I returned to the Maldives after visiting China,” Yameen was quoted as saying by newspaper Haveeru.

“We will use the visit to bring development for the people. During the Chinese president’s visit, [he] will agree to do many things for the Maldives.”

China bridge

Upon returning from a visit to China last month, Yameen said the Chinese government has pledged assistance in building a bridge connecting the capital Malé and Hulhumalé.

According to the President’s Office, President Yameen expressed his desire for the bridge to be known as the ‘China Bridge’ “to symbolise the friendly ties between the two countries” during a meeting with Xi Jinping.

Speaking to the press, Yameen revealed that the Chinese president recommended forming a high-level China-Maldives joint commission to oversee the project.

The Chinese president was also briefed about other ‘mega projects’ the government plans to commence, Yameen said, adding that “major Chinese contractors” would undertake the projects.

The Chinese government could ensure that loan facilities sought from the Chinese EXIM bank would be provided at a very low interest rate, he explained.

Meetings also took place between the Maldivian delegation and “large Chinese civil works companies,” Yameen noted.

Based on assurances from Xi Jinping, Yameen expressed confidence of receiving significant assistance from the Chinese government for the bridge project.

The Chinese government also provided MVR250 million (US$16 million) as grant aid during the president’s trip.

Discussions also focused on “important matters for China in international diplomacy,” Yameen revealed, referring to the the Chinese ‘New Silk Road’ project, which he said was intended to foster economic relations and increase trade between China and Asia-Pacific nations.

“We requested participation in the Silk Road initiative and were immediately welcomed,” he said.

Yameen said the Maldives would back China in the international arena as the two countries shared “the same principles on a number of issues, especially concerning the Indian Ocean region, human rights and many such matters.”

Asked if closer ties with China would adversely impact relations with India or Japan, Yameen said Sino-Maldives economic cooperation would not affect “the very friendly, close relations with India”.

“All these projects are also open to India and we are doing a lot of diplomatic work with India,” he said, referring to his administration’s decision not to sign a Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the United States as an example of cooperation.

“No country has expressed concern so far and I don’t believe they will either,” he said.

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President Yameen announces land reclamation project for Addu Feydhoo

President Abdulla Yameen announced last night that a land reclamation project would commence next year in the Feydhoo ward of Addu City.

Speaking at a ceremony held in Feydhoo to inaugurate a road construction project, President Yameen said construction of the Rahdhebai Magu “will greatly assist the island’s residents, while paving the way for further development projects in Feydhoo,” according to the President’s Office.

President Yameen was accompanied by First Lady Fathmath Ibrahim and Tourism Minister Ahmed Adeeb during his visit to the southernmost atoll.

A by-election for a vacant seat in the six-member Addu City Council is meanwhile scheduled to take place on September 20.

The election comes after Addu City councillor for the Feydhoo constituency, Abdulla Aswan, died of a heart attack on July 8.

All six seats of the city council were won by opposition Maldivian Democratic Party candidates in January’s local council elections.

Speaking at a meeting in Feydhoo last night, President Yameen reportedly criticised the city council over a stalled project to install lights at the Feydhoo football stadium.

The project remained stalled due to a disagreement between councillors, Yameen claimed, calling on the council to cooperate with the government’s development efforts despite political differences.

“If something else is beneficial [to the public], they don’t have to consider the ideology of a political party. They should do it the way the public wants,” he was quoted as saying by newspaper Haveeru.

Yameen urged the people of Feydhoo to vote for ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) candidate for the Feydhoo council seat, Ena Naseer.

The Feydhoo branch of PPM handed over membership forms of 100 new members to First Lady Fathmath Ibrahim at last night’s meeting.

The opposition MDP meanwhile selected Ali Fahmy Ahmed as its candidate to face the by-election in a primary last month.

Speaking at a press conference today, MDP MP for Addu Meedhoo, Rozaina Adam, accused President Yameen of attempting to unduly influence the upcoming by-election by launching or announcing development projects in Feydhoo.

Referring to pro-government MPs rejecting an urgent motion in parliament over power outages in Addu City, Rozaina questioned the president’s sincerity and commitment to develop the city.

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President Yameen appoints members to ACC

President Abdulla Yameen has appointed new members to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for a five-year term.

Along with previous members Hassan Luthfee and Muaviz Rasheed – who were appointed for a second five-year term – President Yameen presented letters of appointment to Aminath Minna, Yazumeed Mohamed, and Sofwath Mohamed at a ceremony at the President’s Office yesterday.

The oath of office was administered by Supreme Court Justice Abdulla Areef. Parliament approved the president’s nominees last month.

Luthfee and Muaviz meanwhile retained their posts as chair and deputy chair, respectively.

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President Yameen replaces commissioner general of customs

President Abdulla Yameen has appointed Ahmed Zuhoor to the vacant of commissioner general of customs.

Former Commissioner General Ahmed Mohamed was recently appointed an ambassador-at-large.

The new commissioner general of customs was sworn in at a ceremony at the President’s Office today.

Zuhoor reportedly has a masters degree in engineering and has previously served as a senior official at the State Trading Organisation.

Ahmed Mohamed has meanwhile told local media that he requested the president for the change in post.

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