Meeting between Gayoom and President Abbas:
Relations dimmed over three years renewed: Gayoom

Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has stated that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s visit to Maldives has revealed to the world the renewal of relations between the two countries which had dimmed over the past three years.

Gayoom told Sun Online after the meeting with President Abbas held at Kurumba Maldives that outside pressure had weakened the ties between the two countries over the past three years, but President Abbas’s visit to Maldives has revealed to the world that Islamic policies and unity have been strengthened in the Maldives.

Gayoom said that the Palestinian delegation expressed concern over the failure by Maldives to participate in the vote taken by UNESCO on whether to recognize the State of Palestine:

“They said that no member of the Maldivian delegation was present at the assembly. They were extremely shocked; they had never expected Maldives to act in this manner. Maldives had never done anything similar before. They said that they were very concerned and saddened by this. I replied that we were also dismayed that the government acted in this manner; we do not understand the reasons behind their actions. However the Maldivian people did protest against it, and the issue was discussed in the Parliament as well. They also mentioned that a member of the former government contacted them later and said that they will write to UNESCO Secretary General to revise the vote. But they had responded that that’s not possible,” Gayoom said.

Replying to the inquiry whether Maldives may be exposed to outside pressure as a result of President Abbas’s visit, Gayoom said that Maldives will always advocate justice, and this is the reason for Maldives supporting an independent Palestine State. Moreover, most Islamic nations are calling for the same thing, so it is not an issue which is likely to pose any problems.

“We are also calling for justice as advocated by the whole world. If someone wants to see it from a different perspective - we can’t help that. As this is an issue in the focus of many Islamic countries, I don’t think it will create any problems. Other countries doing the same thing are not facing problems,” Gayoom said.

Gayoom also noted that President Abbas expressed interest in establishing a Palestine Embassy in Maldives, and this will be discussed today by the Foreign Ministers of the two countries.

The last time a leader of Palestine visited Maldives was 28 years ago in 1984 when Gayoom was President. Gayoom said that back then, the Palestinian President Yasser Arafat was grateful to the government and people of Maldives for the welcome he received, and also for the contribution to Jerusalem fund by Maldives.

“The result will be good relations between the two countries. For example, there are competent people in agriculture, tourism, and several other fields. Relations will be strengthened in all these areas. Maldives will benefit from their advice and assistance,” Gayoom said.