Foreign Ministry, on Tuesday, said former president Mohamed Nasheed had not lodged an official request with the Ministry seeking the entry pass for the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York to attend the annual of the UN General Assembly.
A statement released by Nasheed’s Office on Monday claimed that the Maldivian government, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, declined to cooperate in facilitating the necessary accreditation for his attendance at the UNGA session.
The Ministry released in a statement in response on Tuesday, denying Nasheed’s claims, citing Nasheed’s Office did not lodged an official request seeking the entry pass for the UN headquarters to participate in the meetings held on the sidelines of annual session of the UN General Assembly.
The Ministry, highlighting Nasheed’s status as a former President of the Maldives, stated that all entitlements and privileges granted to former presidents are being duly provided to him.
“In this regard, the Ministry, in coordination with the relevant authorities of the respective countries, has made the necessary travel arrangements for his trips abroad in accordance with existing policies to date,” the statement read.
The Ministry affirmed its commitment to continue providing former presidents with all entitlements and privileges granted to them in accordance with stipulated policies.
Maldives will be represented at the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly by Foreign Minister Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, instead of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. The government has not disclosed the reason behind President Muizzu’s absence from the event which will be attended by prominent world leaders.