Dr. Mohamed Asim, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday said that “a foreign services law is essential to promote the country’s interests and ensure continuity of bilateral relations with other countries”.
A Maldives Foreign Service Bill was submitted to Parliament on July 6, with the First Reading of the bill held on June 29. The bill, tabled for debate by Velidhoo MP Abdulla Yameen, was accepted for Parliament consideration with 56 votes.
In an exclusive interview with PSM News, Foreign Minister Dr. Asim said the Foreign Service Bill seeks to ensure sovereignty and independence of the nation, whilst preserving and promoting the country’s interests in the international arena.
He said in order to ensure that the country’s Foreign Service is characterized by excellence and professionalism, members of the Foreign Service must be professional and shall serve the foreign affairs interests of the country so that bilateral relations with other countries are not negatively affected following changes in the country’s leadership.
He said that “the bill outlines the criteria, appointment and how and when a diplomat appointed to a foreign country could be recalled. A professional Foreign Service would be established with the law”. Currently, the staff of the Foreign Ministry are Civil Servants.
The fundamental principles of the country’s Foreign Policy are based on; sovereign equality of all states, abiding by a rule-based and inclusive international system, and non-interference in internal affairs of other countries.
It is also based on upholding supremacy of diplomacy in managing and resolving global problems and friendship with all countries based on mutual interest.
The Foreign Service Bill is currently under review by the Parliamentary Committee on National Security.