The European Union (EU) has allocated USD4.9 million to the Maldives to strengthen the rule of law. The assistance was announced during the fifth meeting of senior government officials from the Maldives and the EU, held in Male' City.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the assistance is part of a partnership agreement between the EU and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The Maldives expressed gratitude to the EU for its support in enhancing the rule of law, transparency, and integrity of institutions through the Accountability and Integrity Matters (AIM) Project.
At the same meeting, the EU also pledged USD6.3 million to improve the management capacity of protected areas and to support the Maldives' efforts in biodiversity protection and sustainable natural resource management.
During the fourth meeting in June last year, the EU had committed to aiding the Maldives in strengthening the rule of law, transparency, and institutional integrity. The meeting also marked the launch of a five-year EU joint programme aimed at combating corruption and reinforcing the rule of law in the Maldives.
Under the programme, the EU will support judicial reforms in the Maldives, help develop robust legal frameworks to combat corruption, and enhance the capacity of relevant institutions.