Uninterrupted democracy vital for dev: Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, now in Japan on a four-day official visit, on Monday stressed the need for uninterrupted democratic process for ensuring the development of any country. ‘An uninterrupted democratic process can only ensure the development of a country,’ she said. The Prime Minister said this when a nine-member delegation of Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League, led by Takeo Kawamura, met her at the Akasaka Palace in the morning. Kawamura is a member of the House of Representatives of Japan. PM’s Special Assistant Mahbubul Hoque Shakil briefed reporters after the meeting. Hasina also hoped that the lawmakers of the two countries would work together for further development of the two nations and said they could play an important role in consolidating the bilateral relationship between Bangladesh and Japan. Addressing the meeting with the Parliamentary League members, Sheikh Hasina said the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary League has an important role to play in realising a Comprehensive Partnership Agreement between Japan and Bangladesh at the earliest in our common quest to enhance our bilateral relations. Mentioning that Bangladesh has developed its early warning system in disaster management alongside constructing cyclone shelters, Hasina said that both Bangladesh and Japan could work together in this regard. The Prime Minister sought more Japanese investment in Bangladesh’s various sectors and invited the members of the Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League to visit Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh and Japan cooperates with each other in all international arenas, particularly on critical issues as climate change, natural disasters, non-proliferation, global peace and stability, according to UNB.