Brussels, 21/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton called on Tuesday 21 February for all parties “to refrain from violence, inflammatory rhetoric and any provocative actions which could threaten the future of democracy in the Maldives”. “The police and army should exercise maximum restraint in the execution of their duties which must remain strictly within their constitutional mandate”, she added. She also called on all political parties “to immediately engage in dialogue, to commit themselves to early presidential elections and to determine the legislative and constitutional measures required to ensure that these are free and fair”. She stated that “the EU is of the view that the legitimacy and legality of the transfer of presidential power in the Maldives should be determined by an impartial, independent investigation as agreed by all parties”.
The high representative made clear that the EU is ready to offer further assistance “in the field of governance, including in the justice sector”, in conjunction with existing initiatives financed by member states.
President Mohamed Nasheed stood down on 7 February following rioting by prisoners and weeks of demonstrations by opponents. (CG/transl.rt)