EU backs polls by 2008
Saturday, 9 June 2007
The delegation of EU troika said Friday the European Union would be content if a date is found in 2008 for the elections in Bangladesh, reports UNB.
After a meeting with Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury at his office, delegation leader ambassador Andreas Michaelis told reporters that important steps need to be taken including political party reforms, which the EU would support both politically and financially.
On his Thursday's meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), he said they achieved an "important result" by the CEC's assurance to announce a "key roadmap" for the elections by July 15.
Michaelis, who is a director general of the German Foreign Ministry, said from the meetings he had with the law adviser, the army chief and select members of the civil society, he understands that a practical set of reforms, such as political party reforms, need to be "finished and accomplished."
He said the foreign adviser assured him that Bangladesh is ready and willing to meet international standards in this phase of its political development.
Iftekhar Chowdhury termed the meeting most fruitful, saying that he apprised the delegation of the measures the caretaker government is adopting leading to the elections against the backdrop of acceptable international standards.
He also briefed the troika on Bangladesh's current international role, which they found to be very positive.
German Ambassador in Dhaka Frank Meyke and EU head of the Delegation Stefan Frowein were present at the meeting.
After a meeting with Foreign Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury at his office, delegation leader ambassador Andreas Michaelis told reporters that important steps need to be taken including political party reforms, which the EU would support both politically and financially.
On his Thursday's meeting with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), he said they achieved an "important result" by the CEC's assurance to announce a "key roadmap" for the elections by July 15.
Michaelis, who is a director general of the German Foreign Ministry, said from the meetings he had with the law adviser, the army chief and select members of the civil society, he understands that a practical set of reforms, such as political party reforms, need to be "finished and accomplished."
He said the foreign adviser assured him that Bangladesh is ready and willing to meet international standards in this phase of its political development.
Iftekhar Chowdhury termed the meeting most fruitful, saying that he apprised the delegation of the measures the caretaker government is adopting leading to the elections against the backdrop of acceptable international standards.
He also briefed the troika on Bangladesh's current international role, which they found to be very positive.
German Ambassador in Dhaka Frank Meyke and EU head of the Delegation Stefan Frowein were present at the meeting.