Discussion, particularly relating to formation of the Election Commission (EC), will take place during the European Union (EU)-Bangladesh joint commission meeting scheduled to be held in Brussels in December next, said Pierre Mayaudon, EU Ambassador and Head of Delegation to Bangladesh. “As there is still a history of cooperation between the EU and the EC, the issue will be the top of agenda for discussion,” he said while talking to journalists at a programme at a city hotel yesterday. About security measures, the EU Ambassador said the visit of the Chinese President and England Cricket team proves that security situation in Bangladesh has improved. Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) arranged the programme titled ‘DCAB Talk’. DCAB President Angur Nahar Monty and General Secretary Pantho Rahman also spoke at the programme.
Pierre Mayaudon attached the highest importance to discussing the issue as the tenure of the current EC expires in February next year. The subcommittee on democracy, governance and human rights under which the issue of future EC will be discussed at the joint commission meeting scheduled for December 20, he added. Replying to a query, the EU ambassador said the issue of reconstitution of the EC would certainly be in the top agenda as keeping the next general election in mind, the constitutional body will have to play vital as well as critical role in gaining people’s confidence.
“Apart from this, an important EU parliamentary delegation will visit Bangladesh in mid-November,” he said.
When asked about the next general election in Bangladesh, Mayaudon said, the year of next general election 2019 is still far away but it is not so much far actually.
As the incumbent EC will expire in February next year, the government initiated a process to constitute a new commission through appointment of a new chief election commissioner and other election commissioners.
When asked about latest security measures after the July 1 terror attack, he said, the situation has improved greatly; but the security does not mean only the security of diplomats of diplomatic zone. “The visit of the Chinese President and England Cricket team proves that security situation in Bangladesh has improved. But the authorities must have to consider the security of the whole country,” he said.
He, however, said all will have to consider the issue of security in a ‘holistic manner’ so that the objective of having ‘business as usual’ can be achieved as quickly as possible.
“The government has taken steps to drastically improve security environment (after July 1 attack),” the EU envoy said.
Mayaudon said cooperation between the EU and Bangladesh is driven by modernity and at the same time by a sense of sharing common values with the people of Bangladesh, namely democracy and human rights as enshrined in article 1 of the EU-Bangladesh 2001 Cooperation Agreement.
In line with the commitments undertaken by the EU and Bangladesh under the 2001 Cooperation Agreement on Partnership and Development, the 7th EU-Bangladesh Joint Commission was held in Dhaka on November 11, 2015.
The joint commission meeting took place aiming at strengthening partnership in the areas of governance, human rights and migration; trade and economic cooperation; and development cooperation.
Mayaudon said they do not live in fear but they are conscious and laid emphasis on joint efforts to ensure security for all. Asked about the offer given by the government to provide ‘additional security to foreigners’, the diplomat said the offers have been appreciated much and the issue of hiring armed Ansar members seems to be ‘quite effective’.
On freedom of expression, Mayaudon said more freedom of expression has to be encouraged in so many ways, and the civil society should remain a voice in any country.
Responding to another query, he said Bangladesh is ‘more prominent’ on the global scene for its socio-economic development and steady economic growth though some issues have brought negative publicity.
Earlier in his opening remarks, Mayaudon said it is equally true that the EU fabric is currently under severe stress with multiple crises – economy, security, migration and terrorism.
Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s challenges, the EU envoy said global challenges have to be addressed collectively and the two challenges she identified – terrorism and climate change – are definitely among those matters where they all cooperate with Bangladesh. Talking about growing relations with Bangladesh, the diplomat said there are many sectors like ‘Digital Bangladesh’ and ‘Blue Economy’ where the EU-Bangladesh partnership is quite promising.
