Colombo, Sept 12 (newsin.asia) – The Maldives government, on Tuesday, reiterated its call on the opposition to engage in all party talks stating that solutions to disagreements could only be found through mutual discussions.
A statement released by President Abdulla Yameen’s office said the government was disappointed that opposition parties had failed to engage in constructive talks to date which was a ‘a clear lack of good faith on the part of the opposition.’
“We have had our doors open for discussions since before May of 2015 and yet the opposition has failed to engage on any level – and we have reiterated the invitation many times,” Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr
Mohamed Shainee quoted in the statement said.
Mohamed Shainee quoted in the statement said.
“We have made several concession; among them allowing the opposition to set their own agenda and to propose any and all subjects of their interests to be addressed in the talks,” Dr Shainee added.
“Sadly they continue to spread and encourage misconceptions about the Maldives and our systems of governance while refusing to genuinely engage with the Administration,” Shainee, who is also the Administration’s Lead Chair to
the All Party Talks, said.
the All Party Talks, said.
Minister of Defence, Adam Shareef Umar, in the statement said if there are points of dissent between the administration and those who are in opposition, and if the Parties wish to genuinely find solutions, then the only way forward would be to engage in dialogue.
“Setting preconditions before coming to the table is not in the spirit of reciprocity and a clear non-starter. I urge all Parties to come to the table without preconditions. I further urge the international community to make judgements on the basis of facts within their continued engagement with the Maldives,” the Defence Minister added.
Tourism Minister, Moosa Zameer said, ““It is a riddle without answers that the opposition is not receptive to the
standing invitation issued by the Administration. They are proving time and again that their only aim is to provide immunity to their leaders from being accountable to the Laws of the land by using their political leverage.”
standing invitation issued by the Administration. They are proving time and again that their only aim is to provide immunity to their leaders from being accountable to the Laws of the land by using their political leverage.”
The statement further said the government of Abdulla Yameen, would continue an Open Door policy to engage on a mutual footing and invited the larger community to encourage the opposition to act responsibly and within the letter, and the spirit, of the Law and the Constitution of the Republic of Maldives.
(The pic featured above shows from left; Minister of Defence, Adam Shareef Umar, Minister of Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr. Mohamed Shainee, Minister of Legal Affairs at the President’s Office Aishath Azima Shakoor and at the podium, Spokesperson for The President, Ibrahim Muaz Ali)
