Minister of Legal Affairs at President's Office Azima Shakoor has called on all foreign nations to let Maldives stand on its own feet in the competitive world without being judged by the geo-politics in the region.
Speaking on a programme aired on Sri Lankan Ada Derana TV, Minister Azima noted that being a small island nation with a nascent legal system is a challenge by itself in a world where investments are limited. Briefing on the current geo-political situation in the country, Minister Azima stated that Maldives has never constricted the door of investments to any single country.
The Legal Affairs Minister refuted all claims that China is the sole investor in Maldives, by stating that countries such as Singapore and Thailand have helmed major development projects in the country. Speaking on the programme, the Minister cited that Maldives being a small island nation with a nascent legal system is a challenge by itself in a world where investments are limited.
In this regard, Azima Shakoor noted the efforts of former President Mohamed Nasheed calling for a foreign military intervention creates a situation of nervousness in the region. Shedding light on the diplomatic agenda of President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, Minister Azima highlighted that Maldives currently follows a path of economic development by opening the economy for all foreign countries to invest. Azima emphasised that Maldives aims to become a nation to stand on its own in the competitive world. On this note, she called on all foreign countries to give the benefit of doubt to Maldives to prove itself without being judged by the geo-politics in the region.
“We barely have 400 thousand people and our economy is so small, we graduated from third world country to a developing country very recently. We have record developments but at the same time being a small country attracting investments with a very nascent legal system is a challenge by itself in a world where investment is limited,” Azima Shukoor said.
Continuing on, the Minister refuted reports in the international media that claimed Maldives has rejected the mediation of United Nations to solve the current political situation. Azima highlighted that United Nations had an active role in mediating the all-party talks in Maldives but was not successful as the opposition were not ready for such discussions without any pre-conditions.
Speaking on the programme about the current political situation in Maldives, former Chair of Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Robert Van Lierop highlighted that Maldives is judged unfairly as double standards are being exercised on small and developing nations. The former Chair of AOSIS noted constitutional deadlocks have been witnessed in countries such as Germany, Belgium, U.S. and even in the UK.
“First of all governments has the right to reach out to any other nation it wishes to in terms of government to government relations. There is a huge difference between government to a larger neighbor and opposition reaching to a larger neighbor as they have different dynamics in both legal and political standard.” Robert Van Lierop also said.
In addition to Minister Azima and Robert Van Lierop, Professor Eugene Tan of Singapore Management University was also on the panel to discuss about the current Maldivian situation and geo-politics in the region.