Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid has hoisted the Maldivian flag at the headquarters of the Commonwealth to mark the readmission of Maldives to the organisation.
The foreign minister hoisted the Maldivian flag at a ceremony held to commemorate Maldives rejoining the Commonwealth, held at the headquarters of the organisation at Marlborough House. The ceremony was attended by the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Patricia Scotland as well as high commissioners and other representatives across the Commonwealth member countries.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Minister Shahid thanked the Secretary-General Scotland and member states for their support in Maldives rejoining the organisation. The foreign minister reaffirmed the commitment of Maldives to the Commonwealth Charter and the values that bind member states together including democratic norms, human rights and good governance. He also expressed Maldives is ready to re-engage within the Commonwealth.
Secretary General Scotland welcomed Maldives back in to its rightful place in the Commonwealth family and said the Commonwealth secretariat stands ready to engage with Maldives.
Minister Shahid was accompanied by Majority Leader of the Parliament of Maldives Ali Azim and High Commissioner of Maldives to the UK, Dr. Farahanaz Faisal.