Visiting EU Heads of Mission Delegation call on President

The visiting European Union Heads of Mission Delegation called on President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom Monday afternoon. The President thanked the EU for the close attention that it had paid to issues of importance to the Maldives, in particular for the substantial donor assistance that it had extended towards tsunami recovery efforts in the country. He also acknowledged EU’s keen interest in the progress of his agenda for democracy, Human Rights and reform.Members of Delegation inquired about reform measures that had been implemented recently, as well as those in the pipeline.

The President also briefed the visiting EU Heads on the status of the overall tsunami recovery and reconstruction programme. Reiterating that, in the Maldives, the tsunami had caused greater nationwide and economic damage and destruction than in any other affected country, the President highlighted the fact that the recovery programme remained critically under-funded in certain key sectors due to the existing financing gap. In this regard, the EU Delegation assured the President that they would convey the government’s request to their respective capitals.