The EU parliament delegation currently in the Maldives has had opportunity to hear views from members across the local political sphere, said Richard Corbett.

Corbett, one the European Parliament’s members from the United Kingdom, told RaajjeMV after the delegation’s meeting with parliament speaker Abdulla Maseeh that they have had ‘some interesting meetings’ with the opposition and ruling parties alike.

He further said that the delegation has given utmost importance to discussing pluralism in local political and social spheres, adding that an environment conducive of free and fair elections must be established before the upcoming presidential elections, slated for 2018.

The delegation arrived in the Maldives on Sunday and met with parties aligned with the opposition that night. They had also met with President Abdulla Yameen, Foreign Minister Mohamed Asim, the Prosecutor General Aishath Bisham, the Attorney General Mohamed Anil, as well as civil society organizations and the media.