The next election is open to foreign observers
Bangladesh will be opened to foreign observers in the next parliamentary elections, said Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen.
Foreign Minister made the remarks during a farewell meeting with Earl R. Miller, the outgoing U.S. ambassador on Wednesday (January 19).
Calling on the United States to participate in major infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, the Foreign Minister said that infrastructure is a priority for the Government of Bangladesh. They discussed ways to further enhance the existing excellent bilateral relations between the two friendly countries.
AK Abdul Momen thanked the US Ambassador for his active work in Bangladesh during his tenure. He also mentioned the vaccine assistance that Bangladesh has received from the United States.
Bangladesh has so far received 28 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine from the United States under the Covax program and will receive more in the near future.
The Foreign Minister appreciated the close engagement of the two countries on the issue of climate change and recalled the visit of US Special Envoy John Kerry to Bangladesh in April 2021. Both sides expressed hope that there would be a series of talks and visits next month.
The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh thanked the US Ambassador for his warm welcome during his visit to Washington DC in February 2021, the first visit of a Foreign Minister to the US capital since the Biden administration took office.
Abdul Momen thanked the US government for responding to his request to assist Bangladesh in restoring coastal dams and further development in the south of the country.
Foreign Minister Momen sent a letter to USAID Administrator Professor Samantha Power, to which she responded positively. As a result, the Division of Economic Relations, the Ministry of Finance and other relevant ministries of the Government of Bangladesh are in the process of launching a joint feasibility study with USAID to identify potential projects for strengthening coastal embankments in southern Bangladesh.
The Foreign Minister briefed Ambassador Miller on the ongoing Union Parishad elections as well as the Narayanganj City Corporation elections.
They also discussed ways of cooperation between the two countries in the field of human rights, including the organization of training programs.
The Foreign Minister thanked the United States for being the largest donor of humanitarian assistance to the displaced Rohingyas in Bhasanchar as per the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the United Nations.
Mentioning that Bangladesh was the best time of his career due to the warm hospitality from the government and people, the US Ambassador thanked Foreign Minister Momen and the Foreign Ministry for all kinds of cooperation and support.
He reiterated the United States' strong support for a political settlement of the Rohingya issue, not only through humanitarian assistance but also through repatriation. He also expressed the hope that his successor, who has a strong economic background, would make a significant contribution to furthering economic cooperation between the two countries. He further said that the United States is willing to work closely with Bangladesh on human rights issues through regular dialogue.