EU to follow Bangladesh’s polls closely without interfering: envoy

EU to follow Bangladesh’s polls closely without interfering: envoy

DHAKA, Nov 15, 2021 (BSS) –

The European Union (EU) will follow

Bangladesh’s next general polls closely without interfering as the country is
becoming important global partner due to its economic advancement and
geopolitical strategic location.

“We will be following it (election) very closely is not because we want to
interfere but the international community is very interested in what happens
in Bangladesh,” Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU)
to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley said today.

He added, it is the main responsibility of Bangladesh people to decide how
they want to see in terms of governing their country.

The ambassador was talking at the ‘DCAB Talk’ in the capital as his first
media interaction after assuming his new assignment here.

Charles said Bangladesh is a strategic part of this region and becoming a
economic power house with increasing global engagement and as a result it
drew attentions to all stakes to observe what happens in the next general
elation here.

He said the election is not an ‘event’ rather it is a long “process” that
long preparation and legislative framework.

Noting that the Bangladesh national polls is still two years away, he said
it is the people of Bangladesh to exercise their right to vote and to decide
accordingly at the time of election.

During the interaction, Charles talked about different issues including
issues related to EU-Bangladesh relationship, human rights, Rohingya crisis,
and proposing upcoming GSP Plus scheme.

The EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) gives developing
countries a special incentive to pursue sustainable development and good
governance.

Eligible countries have to implement 27 international conventions on human
rights, labour rights, the environment and good governance.

The envoy said Bangladesh is already working on to be eligible for get
GSP+ facilities to the European market but “It will not be a picnic, for
sure”.

The Ambassador said the Bangladesh-EU ties would be deepening in terms of
trade, politics, development and even security and defence.

About the Rohingya crisis, the ambassador said they imposed an arms
embargo and stopped export of weapons on Myanmar while EU put sanctions on
dozens of Myanmar individuals and economic entities.

The Ambassador said they did not suspend humanitarian assistance in
Myanmar to support its general people.

Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to France, he said it
demonstrates the richness of the relations with Europe.

Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) President Pantho
Rahaman and its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin also spoke at the event.