Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has urged Maldives to withdraw its membership of European Union. Gayoom said this at the last rally held to garner support for his half-brother Yameen Abdul Gayoom.
"Maldives joined EU during my rule. At that time there were many benefits Maldives received from membership of European Union. Maldivian seamen were able to get employment in Greek ships. There was only a nominal duty levied on Maldivian fish exports to Europe. But now EU is interfering with our domestic affairs. After Nasheed gave a laadheenee and laaqaumee speech in Denmark, the EU has decided to charge higher import duty on our tuna unless we demolish Theemuge and build a church there," Gayoom said.
"We can't compromise our sovereignty. Our forefathers defeated European invaders once and we will do so again. I will ask the next President to terminate membership of Maldives in the European Union," Gayoom said as thousands of supporters cheered. "We will then join ASEAN as we are getting more tourists from the Far East than from Europe now."
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