EU delegation calls on President, other gov't officials

A delegation of the European Parliament arrived in the Maldives on Sunday, on a three-day official visit.

The visit comes less than a month after the European Parliament passed a resolution against the Maldives, with some MEPs calling to impose targeted sanctions on senior government officials.

The nine-member delegation, consisting of three MEPs, called on President Abdulla Yameen on Monday morning, where both parties discussed the relations between the Maldives and European Union, as well as regarding the political situation in Maldives.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohamed Asim, Attorney General Mohamed Anil, State Minister at the President's Office Mohamed Naseer and the office's Legal Affairs Minister Azima Shakoor took part in the meeting held at the President's Office.

Prior to the call on the President, the delegation met with Minister Asim, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the Ministry, they held discussions on ways to increase cooperation on areas of mutual interest.

The team also met with AG Anil, Prosecutor General Aishath Bisham and Parliament Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed in separate meetings later in the afternoon.

After the meetings, the team headed to Addu City, to see the progress of the Climate Change Adaptation Project (CCAP), which is funded by the European Union. From there they will head to Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Earlier on Monday, the delegation met with members of the civil society and journalists, who expressed concern regarding the lack of freedom of expression in the Maldives, as well as threats to media personnel and lack of action by authorities in such cases.

Last night, they met with members of the joint opposition. Officials from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Jumhooree Party (JP), Adhaalath Party (AP) and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's faction of the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) took part in the meeting.