Neena Gill (S&D). – Madam President, a decade ago the first democratic elections and the adoption of a new constitution provided important cause for optimism on the path chosen by the Maldives. Democratic transitions take time, but as someone who has consistently called for strong EU support for the Maldives, it pains me to see the turn that has been taken over the past few years. Opposition, journalists, human rights activists, face attacks from authorities and extremists, and the recent state of emergency further encroaches upon the vital rights and freedoms.

So my questions to the Commissioner are: what measures can we take to support the UN-facilitated dialogue between all parties in the Maldives in the run-up to the elections that have to take place this year? Secondly, do you share the concerns over reports that China has despatched a fleet of 11 warships to the East Indian Ocean in a sign of support to the Maldivian authorities, further increasing military build-up in the South China Sea? I would say it is crucially important that we have regional actors who are at play, and it is important that we get support for the S&D amendment.