Maldives is now off the formal agenda of the CMAG- Commonwealth 

Commonwealth Secretariat’s Spokesperson and Director of Communications Richard Uku has said that the Maldives is now off the formal agenda of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG).

Commonwealth Secretariat’s Spokesperson and Director of Communications Richard Uku confirmed this replying to a query of Miadhu Daily. He said that Maldives country was removed from that category at the CMAG meeting in New York on Friday.

“Now that it is off the formal agenda, Maldives will indeed resume its seat at the next CMAG meeting, in accordance with the guidelines agreed to at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth in 2011,” he said.

In response to the doubts raised by some regarding Maldives still being under ‘Matters of Interest’ category, Commonwealth Secretariat’s Spokesperson Uku said it simply simply reflects CMAG’s wishes to remain positively engaged. He said that it should not be considered as a negative or punitive measure, because it is not.

“CMAG recognised the outcome of the Commission of National Inquiry report, reflecting the Government’s legitimacy. It recognised that there is more work to be done to follow up the CONI report recommendations to strengthen institutions,” he said.

Furthermore, the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Spokesperson said that the Commonwealth Secretary-General and the Chair of CMAG will review progress on issues raised in the CMAG concluding statement of last Friday, and will take a view. He added that they may consult with the full CMAG membership in doing so