President Dr Mohamed Waheed has delivered a lecture at the Indian Council of World Affairs this morning, as part of his current visit to the country.

In his lecture, the President expressed his hopes of achieving two very essential, inter-related and mutually-dependent objectives by the end of his term, in the second half of next year.

Going into detail, the President said that he was hopeful that all the citizens of Maldives would be clear that the constitution is supreme, and must be respected by all, without exception.

The President also stated that he hoped to demonstrate to the people, that the events of February 7 did not undermine the Maldivian democracy, but rather, the events unfolded as a result of politicians and the general public failing to live up to the principles and ideals upon which democracy is based.

In his lecture, the President spoke in detail, on the history of governance in the Maldives, and the efforts put in by the different rules of power, in establishing a suitable system of governance in the country.

Speaking in this regard, President Waheed highlighted the measures being taken since 2004 in reforming democracy. The President noted that the objective of establishing a democratic society was to ensure the right to freedom of expression, and uphold the constitutional rule of power.

The President reiterated that his Government was firmly committed to instill respect for rule of law in the country.

President Waheed further said that, since his assumption of office, he had consistently worked towards forming an inclusive Government, ensuring peace and calm in the country, upholding the Constitution and rule of law, and protecting human rights at all times.

President Waheed highlighted on the roadmap he had published, A Possible Way Forward, and its objectives of calming the political situation in the country.

Following his lecture, the President answered some questions posed to him by the attendees of the lecture, regarding the democratic system and business opportunities in the Maldives, the progress of the National Inquiry Commission, and the diplomatic relations between the Maldives and India.