The European Union (EU) expects Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s new government to make a talks offer to the BNP to reach an agreement for holding an inclusive,
transparent and credible election. “Now that there is a new government, the EU expects that it will make an offer of dialogue to the BNP, in order to reach an
agreement on a way forward, to hold a transparent, inclusive and credible election,” EU Ambassador to Dhaka William Hanna told The Independent yesterday when his
comments were sought about the oath-taking of the new cabinet led by Sheikh Hasina. “We have conveyed this message today (Sunday) to the prime minister and to her
senior advisers,” he said. “This is in line with the statement issued by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Vice President of the European Commission
Catherine Ashton on behalf of the EU on January 9,” said Ambassador Hanna, who attended the oath-taking ceremony along with other diplomats stationed in Dhaka.
The statement says, “The EU has repeatedly called on all parties to create favourable conditions for a transparent, inclusive and credible polls.” “The High
Representative, therefore, regrets the fact that such conditions did not materialise and that the people of Bangladesh were not given an opportunity to express fully
their democratic choice,” it said.
Meanwhile, emerging from the oath-taking ceremony, United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan Mozena has called upon the political parties to immediately engage in
dialogues to hold a credible election as soon as possible.
He also expressed Washington’s disappointment at the results of the parliamentary election on January 5. Mozena said, “Our perspective is that we’re not very convinced
that the results are credible reflections of the will of Bangladeshi people. So, we look forward to a fresh election.”
The US ambassador reiterated his country’s commitment to work with and support the people of Bangladesh.
Courtesy of The Independent
