Govt values western concerns over polls:FM
Staff Reporter :
The Foreign Ministry values the apprehensions raised by various countries, including the United Nations, United States, and United Kingdom, regarding the recent election, which was not endorsed as free and fair by the western nations.
The newly appointed Foreign Minister (FM) Hasan Mahmud said that the parliamentary election held on January 7 was over and now his government wanted to work with all in line with the foreign policy of Bangladesh – friendship to all malice to none.
The minister, also the Joint General Secretary of Awami League, on Sunday came up with the remarks while exchanging views with journalists on the first day of his new assignment .
Asked about whether the government is facing any pressure, he said, “Different countries have different perceptions and narratives.
But at the end of the day, everyone will work together; that’s the main point. Everyone is our development partner.
Taking everyone together, we will take the country forward. However, we will value the concerns of various countries alongside friendship.”
The Foreign Minister stated, “We do not feel any pressure. There were various pressures during the election – deep pressures, moderate pressures – various types of pressures were there. The election has relieved those pressures. Therefore, we do not feel any pressure.”
He further emphasised that his government want to move the country forward with the cooperation of everyone, both East and West.
Asked about the foreign reservations that the elections were not free and fair
and were also infested with irregularities and violence, he said, “It was a good election held in a festive mood.
The polls were almost free of violence. The East and the West have expressed their intention to work together.”
Reflecting on his previous role in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and addressing the challenges of the new position, the Foreign Minister stated, “There is no inconvenience in working with everyone.
We need to advance economically, strengthen economic diplomacy, expand trade, and deepen relations with everyone. When we work, many challenges will arise, and we will address them.”
Asked about Rohingya repatriation issue, the Foreign Minister expressed a desire to resolve it through diplomatic means.
“We are in regular engagement for the resolution of the Rohingya issue. We hope that a diplomatic solution to this problem will be found. We do not believe in solving this issue through war or conflict. We will address this issue diplomatically,” he said.
