This award is the right of the people- of the Maldives: President

President Mohamed Nasheed has said that the highest distinct order of merit he received in Mauritus is the right of the people of Maldives.

President Nasheed said this after returning to Male’ with First Lady Laila Ali yesterday after concluding their state visit to Mauritius from 11 to 13 March on the occasion of the National Day of Mauritius.

President Nasheed made the visit on an invitation from Prime Minister Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam to officiate the Mauritian National Day celebrations held on 12 March.

During the visit, President of Mauritius Sir Anerood Jugnauth awarded the highest distinct order of merit in Mauritius, Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and the Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK), to President Nasheed.

President Nasheed was conferred GCSK at the luncheon hosted by President Anerood in his honour today.

Among the few foreign dignitaries who has been conferred the award are Former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela, and Former President of Guyana Cheddi Jagan.

In addition to attending the National Day celebrations, President Nasheed held extensive discussions with President Sir Anerood Jugnauth, Prime Minister Dr Ramgoolam and other senior officials of the Mauritian government on possible areas of cooperation and collaboration between two countries.

During the working session with Prime Minister Dr Ramgoolam, President Nasheed proposed to form an association of Indian Ocean island states to promote economic and political cooperation between the countries.

Both leaders agreed that such an association would increase the countries’ legitimacy at the world stage.