Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohamed Asim has invited the development partners and representatives from international organizations and associations to visit Maldives to assess the situation.
In an interview with PSM News, the Maldivian Foreign Minister assured the international community that despite the declaration of the State of Emergency on February 5, no curfew has been imposed and general movement of people, services and businesses will not be affected. Foreign Minister Mohamed Asim stated that Maldives has been at the receiving end of travel advisories from various countries and stated that such advisories would have negative effects to sectors such as tourism and trade.
Minister Asim cited the State of Emergency is declared to addresses certain internal aspects of governance and affects mostly the capital island Male', and not tourist resorts, tourist islands and tourism in general. The Foreign Minister assured that life in the Maldives continues as normal with all places of work, businesses, schools, government and social services, travel, including all domestic and international airports, and leisure facilities all remaining fully open and operational.
"We have been receiving travel advisories from various countries and to address this we have been communicating with various agencies including Ministry of Tourism and also MMPRC," Minister Asim said.
In addition Foreign Minister Asim invited the development partners and representatives from international organizations and associations of Maldives to visit the Maldives to assess the situation in the Maldives. Minister Asim assured that Maldives welcomes such parties to witness the safety and security of Male', for their own citizens as well as to engage with the Government and key stakeholders in the country.
"To provide the message that life in Maldives is normal in terms of day to day activities and businesses we welcome foreign nations and development partners to assess the nation. There is no threat to safety and security of foreigners living here or people that is visiting as tourists. So that is an assurance that we have been giving to all parties that our tourism is not affected by the State of Emergency،" Minister Asim further said.
President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom declared a State of Emergency on February 5 for a 15 days period.