US seeks to work with all political parties for shared peace and prosperity

The US ambassador in Dhaka, the Canadian high commissioner and a delegation of the European Union countries met BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman separately at his Gulshan office in the capital on Monday.

Brent T. Christensen, the newly appointed US Ambassador to Bangladesh, paid a courtesy call on Tarique Rahman at the BNP Chairman's Gulshan office, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan, reports UNB.

"I met today with BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman to hear his perspective on upcoming elections," said the US Ambassador after the meeting.

In brief remarks through his verified 'X' handle, the envoy said the United States looks forward to working with all Bangladeshi political parties to advance shared peace and prosperity.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was present at the meeting, along with Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir, BNP chairman's Advisory Council member Mahdi Amin and press secretary Saleh Shibly.

Several officials from the US Embassy in Dhaka also attended the meeting.

Canadian envoy

Earlier in the morning, Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh also met BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman.

They discussed progress towards a 'peaceful and inclusive' democratic transition through the upcoming elections in Bangladesh.

High Commissioner Ajit Singh underscored Canada's desire to work with the interim government, and the next elected government of Bangladesh, to build on the momentum created by economic, financial, judicial, and labour reforms, to deepen bilateral relations and create a better future for people in both countries.

Canada has been a longstanding advocate for 'free, fair, inclusive, and participatory' elections in Bangladesh, said the envoy.

The hour-long meeting, which began around 11:30 am, was held at the party chief's Gulshan office, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.

BNP Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir and its Chairman's Adviser Mahdi Amin were also present.

Sayrul said matters of mutual interest came up for discussion during the meeting.

EU delegation

A delegation of the European Union countries met BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Monday.

The meeting, led by European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, was held at the BNP Chairman's Gulshan office, said BNP Media Cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan.

Envoys from Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark, Spain and Italy attended the meeting.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir, party chairman's Advisory Council member Dr Mahdi Amin and press secretary Saleh Shibly were also present.