The European Union (EU) has agreed to finance MVR 83 million (USD 5.4 million) for an initiative to strengthen the rule of law and anti-corruption in the Maldives.
The funding agreement for the five-year program was signed during the fourth senior officials meeting between the Maldives and EU in Brussels on Tuesday.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the European Union for its generous assistance in our ongoing fight against corruption and our dedicated efforts to strengthen governance,” state foreign minister Ahmed Khaleel said.
He said that the Maldives stands committed towards enhancing the independence, transparency and effectiveness of the justice system.
“With the promotion and protection of human rights as an important priority of the government, we are happy to see the emphasis on the need to ensure access to justice for everyone, including the most vulnerable segments of society under this initiative.”
The "Strengthening the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption" program will support better access to justice, including for the most vulnerable communities such as survivors of gender-based violence.
The program will also strengthen the efficiency of justice service delivery across the country through digitalisation and help fight corruption through adequate laws and empowered institutions.
EU Director for Asia, Middle East and the Pacific Peteris Ustubs said the new program "is a testimony of the European Union’s strong commitment to partner with the Maldives to strengthen and consolidate good democratic governance and justice reforms in the future.”
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During the EU-Maldives talks on Tuesday, discussions were also held on EU support for Maldives’ key development priorities such as green transition, climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity protection and circular economy.
