13 February 2012, Male'; The Government of Maldives today welcomed the decision of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG) to constitute a ministerial mission to visit the Maldives to ascertain the facts surrounding the transfer of power, following the resignation of President Nasheed on 7th February.
The CMAG held an extraordinary meeting yesterday in which Foreign Ministers from the Group's members recognized the impressive gains made by the Maldives in recent years in consolidating multi-party democracy and expressed its solidarity with the people of Maldives to select a government of their choice through democratic means. The Group also stressed that the future of the country should be decided by Maldivians themselves through inclusive political dialogue and underscored the Commonwealth's political values as expressed by the 2009 Affirmation of Commonwealth Values and Principles.
Referring to the decision, President Dr. Mohamed Waheed welcomed the interest of CMAG on the situation in Maldives and welcomed the Group's decision to dispatch a ministerial mission. "It was the Maldives that changed the mandate of the CMAG for it to be more proactive and to engage in a positive manner with member countries. The Government will never hesitate in engaging with all its international partners in achieving our aim of consolidating democracy. Maintaining the rule of law and uncompromising adherence to the Constitution is the utmost priority of this Government. I look forward to welcoming the ministerial mission", said the President.
ENDS