Alleged agreement enabling Lankan vessels to enter our territorial waters is political gossip- President

President Mohamed Nasheed has said that the alleged new maritime agreement government signed with Sri Lanka enabling Sri Lankan fishing vessels to enter the territorial waters of Maldives during their passage to Arabian Sea is false and a political gossip.

Speaking at the Press Conference following the visit of the President to the neighbouring Seychelles, he said that the alleged contradictions in the statements of the Press Secretary and the Minister of Fisheries are because the whole issue in question has no truth to it. He said that the foreign vessels can enter the Maldivian water premises during their passage even now under special permit issued in accordance to International maritime laws.

“Foreign vessels enter our territorial waters even now. But they have to take a special permit before entering. The fishing equipment should be kept away from use under special guidelines during the passage,” he said.

Meanwhile, Press Secretary Mohamed Zuhair said that the confusion regarding the matter arose with the media of both the countries interpreting the news without referring it to the original sources.

“I challenge anyone to bring forth the agreement signed by our government. There is no agreement signed by our government in this whatsoever. However there is an agreement signed by the previous government. It is the agreement signed under the international maritime law,” he said.