Ambassador of the UK to Maldives James Dauris has made his final calls on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Vice President Faisal Naseem.
James Dauris is ending his diplomatic term after an eventful four years serving as the Non-resident Ambassador to Maldives, based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. During his farewell calls the ambassador expressed he was elated to end his diplomatic posting on a high note, owing to the palpable change in the political atmosphere in Maldives since the last presidential elections and the swearing-in of the present administration.
The ambassador noted that throughout his term it has become evident that two countries share many common principles pertinent to international affairs, including a belief in free trade, a peaceful and prosperous Indian Ocean, environmental preservation and marine conservation. He expressed further the practical cooperation in the international fora is strengthened by the friendly bilateral bonds rooted in history, language and ongoing collaboration in such fields as education, commerce, and security.
Referring to ongoing conversations between the Maldives’ Foreign Minister and the Maldives’ Ambassador to the U.K, with the Commonwealth’s Secretary-General, Ambassador Dauris expressed the UK is very supportive of the Maldives’ case for early readmission back into the organisation and that the endeavour has gained much traction due to the Commonwealth’s very positive published assessment of the most recently held parliamentary elections.
The president and vice president, in their respective meetings with the ambassador, acknowledged and thanked the UK Government for the constructive role played throughout the Maldives’ democratisation journey. They expressed Maldives is very eager to work with the ambassador’s chosen successor to take forward the mutual bilateral relations, adding the work will be greatly facilitated by the resident UK Embassy planned to be opened in Maldives, in the near future.
The president and vice president reiterated the ambassador’s positive sentiments and wished him well in any future role he chooses to pursue, ending the call by expressing he is a dear friend to Maldives, who will always be welcomed back.