Member States' ambassadors to the European Union (Coreper) decided on Wednesday 5 June to revoke the sanctions framework for the Maldives, in line with the EU Council's objectives and the assessment of the situation on the ground.
In fact, since the adoption of the framework - which remained empty - in July 2018, the situation has improved in the Maldives (see EUROPE 12063/6). In September, the country elected a new president, who took office in November. Parliamentary elections were held in April, and the human rights situation seems to be on the right track.
According to a European source, this improvement is an "flagship example of the effectiveness of our sanctions policy".
The purpose of the sanctions framework was to punish persons and entities responsible for undermining the rule of law, obstructing a political solution or bearing responsibility for cases of serious human rights violations.
The revocation is expected to be formally adopted by the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 17 June in Luxembourg. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)