Maldives insists religious freedom reservation in Samoa Agreement
Maldives became a full member of OACPS on 9 December 2022.
By
Aishath Maha
Maldives signed the Samoa Agreement after submitting reservations and declarations not to comply with 12 articles, Presidential Office Senior Spokesperson Heena Waleed insisted on Tuesday.
Maldives signed the Samoa Agreement on Monday after Parliament approved Maldives' accession to the agreement.
In this regard, Heena said on X that Maldives has signed treaties in the past after submitting reservations for such provisions.
“I assure you that this government will not allow anything that is contrary to Islam and the Constitution of Maldives,” Heena's post said.
The Samoa Agreement between the EU, its member states and Organisation of African Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) member states is the first such agreement signed by Maldives with the EU.
As a result of this agreement:
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There will be opportunities to further expand cooperation between Maldives and the EU on economic, sustainable development and environment and climate change
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It will also facilitate Maldives' access to EU concessions for OACPS member countries
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This would include exemption of duties on fish exported to Europe by the Maldives, and relaxation of Schengen visas to travel to Europe.
The Samoa Agreement outlines the legal framework underpinning six core areas of the EU/OACPS relationship for the next 20 years. The six main areas are:
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1-
Human rights, democracy and governance
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2-
Peace and security
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3-
Human and social development
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4-
Inclusive, sustainable economic growth and development
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5-
Environmental sustainability and climate change
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6-
Migration and mobility
The Samoa Agreement, signed in Apia, Samoa on November 15, 2023, solidified the partnership between the European Union (EU) and its 27 Member States, as well as the 79 Member States of the OACPS.
The OACPS was established in 1975 under the Georgetown Agreement between African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.
Maldives became a full member of OACPS on 9 December 2022.
