The Dawn of EP-Maldives Friendship Group’s Fruition.

14 Members of the European Parliament from the political groups of EPP, S&D, Renew, ECR and ID, representing 11 different nationalities founded the “EP-Maldives Friendship Group” at the European Parliament. 
 
The EP-Maldives Friendship Group was forged with the goal of serving as a platform for regular exchanges of views and discussions between Members of the European Parliament and Maldivian representatives. The main objective of the informal group is to contribute to fostering closer ties with the European Union and more importantly building new opportunities for cooperation in the coming years. 

The inaugural meeting’s members consisting of the EP-Maldives Friendship Group gave a well-deserved welcome the Foreign Secretary, Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed and the rest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation of senior officials who have travelled to Brussels to participate in the 2nd Senior Officials Meeting between the Maldives and the European Union. 
The Chairman of the Group, MEP Tomáš Zdechovský highlights in his opening remarks, “The diplomatic relations of Maldives and the EU has just entered a new phase. From now on, Maldivians can count on the support of our European Parliament Friendship Group and know that the deepening of the EU-Maldives cooperation will remain on the European Parliament table”. 

“The launching of the Friendship Group of Maldives within the European Parliament is a key moment in the history of our relations and renews our commitment to continue the path towards fully consolidating democracy, ensuring good governance and promoting respect for human rights" shared Foreign Secretary, Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed in a statement of hope for a better future for the nation. 
 
During the meeting with the Members of the European Parliament, Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed briefed the EP-Maldives Friendship Group on the current situation in the country, as well as on the recent developments in the Maldives-European Union relations. 

In his final words, Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed took the opportunity to extend his humble gratitude on his and the nations behalf; “I am thankful to Tomáš Zdechovský MEP for yet another initiative to help the people of the Maldives. A permanent Friendship Group in the European Parliament will facilitate the exchange of information and discussion about the developments in our country. We know that we can count on the support of Tomáš Zdechovský and other Members of the Group for making Maldives an important partner of EU” .