Maldives has called on every country to work together within the United Nations charter to ensure peace in the Middle East.
Addressing the United Nations Security Council Quarterly Open debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the Question of Palestine, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mohamed Asim reiterated that to find meaningful solutions to the many situations of violence and instability in the Middle East, the international community needs to work together, with the countries concerned and the people affected. To guarantee that conflict does not erupt again it is much needed to focus on sustaining peace, maintaining stability and security at the same time, said the Maldivian Foreign Minister.
Reiterating the belief of Maldives on an independent Palestine, with East Jerusalem as its capital, Minister Asim cited that it is unacceptable that in the twenty-first century, long when imperialism has gone out of fashion, the occupation of Palestinian lands continues. Furthermore, Foreign Minister Asim called on Israel to fully implement the resolutions passed by the United Nations Security Council.
Highlighting on the seven-year-long situation in Syria, the Foreign Minister expressed with regret that since the start of the conflict, hundreds and thousands of people have been killed, or driven out of their homes. Minister Asim emphasised the need in finding constructive and lasting solutions in these countries noting the unfavorable situations of Muslims in Yemen and Libya.
Continuing on, the Maldivian Minister noted the threat of terrorism and violent extremism continuing to grow and added that it is important to be smart in countering violent extremism while paying more attention to the course.
On conclusion, Minister Asim assured the support of Maldives for United Nations Security Council in crafting lasting solutions to the conflicts that face the world today, especially in Palestine and the Middle East, which is a region Maldives share many cultural, religious, and historic ties. The Minister pledged that Maldives will remain a partner which the international community can count on, as Maldives strives to find shared solutions for a shared destiny.