Visiting British Minister for International Development Alan Duncan has said that it is critically important for Bangladesh’s reputation that the upcoming parliamentary elections are judged to be free, fair and credible. He made the remarks after a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office on Tuesday, according to a press release issued by the British High Commission in Dhaka. Duncan, however, said that it was, of course, a matter for Bangladesh as to how the election process was managed.
He hoped that all sides would resolve their differences through a meaningful dialogue.
“Clearly this is an important period for Bangladesh as it looks to hold national elections. Bangladesh’s influence is growing around the world and therefore more people than ever before will be watching closely. Their attention has been raised further by the recent episodes of violence as well as tragedies such as the Rana Plaza building collapse,” he said. The Minister is also urging all parties to restrain from violence or excessive use of force and called on them to recognise the social and economic impact of strikes and other forms of disruption, which is damaging to individuals, business and the country as a whole.
On the relationship between Dhaka and London, he said, “The relationship between Britain and Bangladesh remains strong, founded on a long-standing and deep bond stretching across and beyond the last four decades. Personal connections between our people lie at the very heart of this relationship and therefore I was delighted to have met the Prime Minister again and look forward to meeting the Leader of the Opposition later today (Tuesday).”
“Britain is committed to Bangladesh’s development and its ambition of achieving middle income status within the next decade. Its economic prosperity and social development is important to us, as it also is to the half a million people of Bangladeshi origin living in the UK,” he said.
During the meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Duncan discussed Bangladesh’s economic and social development and how UK aid could help Bangladesh reach its target of middle income status within the next decade.
Earlier, he called on Finance Minister A M A Muhith and Labour and Employment Minister Khandaker Hosharraf Hossain.
-With The Independent input
