After the European Union (EU) decision to adopt a framework for targeted sanctions against Maldives, fisheries minister Dr. Mohamed Shainee said that it was a "big win" for the Maldives government.

The Minister said this to media outlets after the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council on Monday adopted a framework that that will allow them to impose travel bans and asset freezes on the relevant individuals and entities if the political and human rights situation in Maldives does not improve.

Minister Shainee told the media that the decision was just EU's way of telling the Maldives government to be more alert. He said the government’s talks with EU nations have succeeded and that the EU's decision was “a big win for government.” He also said that the opposition had misled the EU on the situation in Maldives, but that the EU has since acknowledged the government’s side of things.

On Monday, the EU Council adopted a framework to adopt restrictive measures such as travel bans and asset freezes against individuals and entities responsible for ‘undermining the rule of law or obstructing an inclusive political solution in the Maldives as well as persons and entities responsible for human rights violations.’

The Council added that it would implement this framework ‘if the situation does not improve' in Maldives.