US, EU focus deeper ties avoid discussion on poll

Staff Reporter  :
The United States and the European Union have expressed their intention to strengthen relations and partnerships with Bangladesh in the days ahead, even though they have not officially endorsed the 12th parliamentary election as free and fair.

The US ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas mentioned on Wednesday that Washington is eager to collaborate with Bangladesh on issues such as climate change, business opportunities, and addressing the Rohingya crisis.

On the other hand, Ambassador Charles Whiteley announced that the European Union (EU) will initiate negotiations with Bangladesh on the Partnership Cooperation Agreement in the near future.

Both of them expressed their views before the journalists at the Foreign Ministry while meeting with the Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud in separate meetings.

“I had the opportunity to meet the new foreign minister and had an introductory meeting today so that we could talk about future of our relations and how we work together on the issues of mutual interests such as climate change, expanding business opportunities, and Rohingya,” Hass said.

“I look forward in the coming days to working closely to advance mutual interests,” he added.

In reply to a question, he said that they have talked about security and defence cooperation for mutual interest.

Meanwhile, Whiteley said, “We had a discussion over how we take forward the EU-Bangladesh relationship.

We are going to start negotiations to initiate a new Partnership Cooperation Agreement very soon.”

“It would be a new generation agreement involving wide-ranging issues,” he continued.

He further said, “We look to take forward EU-Bangladesh relations with the prime minister.”

“I look forward to working very closely in the coming months to advance our mutual interest,” he told journalists.

The EU Ambassador expressed the desire to advance relations with Bangladesh, stating that over the next five years, the relationship between both sides will see new developments.

“By this time, our relations have progressed from developmental partnership to political engagement.

Efforts are underway to establish new forms of cooperation between both parties.

Previously, we engaged in political discussions, and in the coming days, both sides aim to foster stronger ties based on mutual interests,” he said.

Charles Whiteley, in response to a question about the Parliamentary Election, said, “There was no discussion on the election during today’s meeting.”

He stated that they have conveyed their feedback on the election after it took place.
“In today’s meeting, discussions focused on how both sides can move forward in the upcoming days,” he said.

Later Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud talked to the journalist and said that he had discussed with Peter Haas regarding more US investments along with combating militancy and terrorism.

In reply to a query on election, he said, “The US Ambassador did not raise any questions on the election on his own initiative. Instead, I expressed gratitude for their observers in the election.”

“The Ambassador did not initiate any discussion or ask any questions on this matter (regarding the election). I myself said that a good election had taken place,” the minister said.

Asked about whether they talked about Rohingya issue, he said, “We have talked about it and sought cooperation for the repatriation of the Rohingyas. I have reiterated this matter. In pursuit of that objective, we have unanimously agreed to work together.”

Regarding the sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion, the minister said that they have talked about it and the government was working on the issue.

Asked about western reservation about the election, he said, “We have a very fruitful discussion to cement our bilateral relations and to work with the US government.”