United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Robert Blake has called on President Mohamed Nasheed today.
At meeting held at the President’s Office, President Nasheed and US Assistant Secretary of State Blake exchanged views on domestic and international political situation especially in the Middle East.
They also discussed issues of mutual concern and ways of enhancing cooperation between the Maldives and the United States.
Speaking to local press after at the American Corner in the National Library, US Assistant Secretary of State Blake said the US “very much value our relationship with the Maldives.”
"The United States understands the challenges Maldives is tackling as a young democracy... which is continuing to gain in strength,” he said.
The US Assistant Secretary of State congratulated the Maldives on successfully holding its first ever local council elections, which he said was “vigorously, peacefully and fairly contested.”
He further underscored the Maldives’ role in engaging at the international level on global issues, especially the prominent role the Maldives is playing on the UN Human Rights Council.
He said “"The Maldives influence internationally far outstrips its size."
"President Nasheed is one of the world's leading climate change advocates," he added.
