In a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has underlined the importance of democracy for continuation of socioeconomic development of Bangladesh.
The BNP chief went to Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel to meet Abe on Saturday evening.
She spoke to Abe about the Jan 5 national elections. The Japanese prime minister said he had learnt that the BNP did not take part in that election.
On the first day of his two-day state visit, Shinzo Abe met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the afternoon at her office and President Abdul Hamid later on at Bangabhaban.
After the meeting, BNP Vice-Chairman Shamsher Mobin Chowdhury said the Japanese prime minister and the BNP chairperson had agreed that democracy, human rights and rule of law were crucial in maintaining the continuation of Bangladesh’s socioeconomic progress.
He said Abe was aware of the ‘one-sided’ election held on Jan 5.
“Japan is aware that major parties of Bangladesh did not participate in the Jan 5 elections,” he said.
“He expressed hope that the political parties through dialogue will be able to reach a solution which will be acceptable to the people and the international community,” Chowdhury added.
Former prime minister Khaleda spoke to Abe about the “deep and diverse” relationship between the two nations.
At the summit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced that Bangladesh would be withdrawing its candidature for the non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in support of its long-tested friend Japan.
Asked about his party’s stance on this, Chowdhury gave an evasive answer.
“During President Ziaur Rahman’s era in 1978 Bangladesh won the membership competing with Japan. This is the first time Bangladesh has withdrawn its candidature,” he said.
Source: bdnews24
