Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson says the UK will "continue to work with the Maldives Government to help strengthen democracy, particularly freedom of speech and the media and independence of the judiciary".
He said this in a statement released over the Government's decision to quit the Commonwealth. The Government yesterday passed to exit the Commonwealth stating that Maldives was being treated against the principles set in the Commonwealth charter. The Government also noted the Commonwealth had sought out to interfere in the internal politics of the country.
The statement on FCO said "the UK is disappointed that the Maldives Government has decided to withdraw from the Commonwealth."
"We believe in the Commonwealth and its commitment to improving the lives of people across all its member states. The Commonwealth is an organisation dedicated to developing free and democratic societies, and to promoting peace and prosperity. And we regret that the Maldives has chosen to leave," the statement said.
Johnson assured that UK and the Commonwealth will continue to collaborate with the Maldives to strengthen democracy and institutions.
UK Secretary General Baroness Scotland had also expressed sadness over the Government's decision to pull out from the Commonwealth, adding that she hoped this was a temporary decision.
