Minister of State at the Commonwealth Office Tariq Mahmood Ahmed has stated that the preparations necessary for Maldives to rejoin the Commonwealth will be completed before The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2020 scheduled to be held in Rwanda next year.
Answering questions asked by a lawmaker at the UK Parliament regarding Maldives’ re-admittance to the Commonwealth, the Minister said he welcomes the Maldives' renewed interest in joining the Commonwealth.
Mnister Tariq further said he is hopeful that the necessary work will be completed ahead of the Heads of Government meeting.
The Maldives was a member of the Commonwealth for 34 consecutive years since 1982, before leaving the organization in 2016 during former president, Yameen Abdul Gayyoom's tenure. President Yameen had accused the Commonwealth of interfering and attempting to influence the internal affairs of the Maldives.
Minister of State at the Commonwealth Office Tariq Mahmood Ahmed
