MALE: Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Ahmed Shaheed has said that the President of Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, is an internationally recognized leader. He said this at a press brief after returning from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) held in Port of Spain, capital of Trinidad and Tobago from 27 to 29 November.
Dr Shaheed noted that Maldives made great success in this year’s Commonwealth meeting and that the biggest success was President Nasheed being received as an internationally acclaimed leader.
He said that almost all the leaders who participated in this year’s Heads of government meeting of Commonwealth commented that President Nasheed was a notable personality. These leaders said that President Nasheed was a hero who was responsible for establishing democracy in Maldives and further equated President Nasheed with former South African President Nelson Mandela.
Dr Shaheed said that when a Commonwealth committee was established comprising of leaders of countries at different levels of environmental vulnerability, President Nasheed was one among the 5 countries included in the committee and that he even headed that committee.
Foreign Minister said that President Nasheed was appointed to speak on behalf of all Asian countries in the Indian Ocean.
Dr Shaheed said that such successes would enable the voices and concerns of Maldives to be heard by the international community and would also open doors to aid and international assistance to the country.
