Staff Reporter :European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Pierre Mayaudon has termed the ongoing violence and burning people by hurling petrol bombs as ‘tragic and barbaric’. “The killing of common civilians in Bangladesh is brutal and pathetic. This type of violence will not bring any good for anybody. We’re very saddened. How could human being act like this? It’s barbaric and tragic,” he said on Wednesday. The EU Ambassador gave this opinion in conversation with the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a courtesy call at her office on Wednesday morning.Briefing reporters after the meeting, PM’s deputy press secretary Nazrul Islam said the EU Ambassador went to see the PM following an EU delegation visit to Burn Unit of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital [DMCH] on Thursday. M. Nazrul Islam told the reporters that the EU Ambassador shared with the Premier his experience of visiting the victims of arson attacks in DMCH Burn Unit on previous day. The EU envoy said he was very much saddened to see the pain and sufferings of the burn victims. He also expressed his astonishment about how a man can do such brutal act.In this backdrop, the PM mentioned that the January-5 polls were held as per the constitution. Before that efforts were taken to hold an election with the participation of all parties, to form an all-party government. Even BNP was offered the Home Ministry in the proposed all-party government. The PM said BNP did not participate in the election as Jamaat-e-Islami was not registered with the Election Commission.She said, “at present BNP is killing people in the name of politics by hurling petrol bombs. Even small children and pregnant women are not safe from their hands.”Nazrul Islam said, Pierre Mayaudon has given assurance that the EU will give all support to Bangladesh in its efforts to achieving US$ 50 billion garments export target by 2021. Pierre Mayaudon appreciated Bangladesh government’s concept of ‘Blue Economy’ and said if Bangladesh needs, the EU has expertise and experiences to share it with Bangladesh in tapping the huge potentials of the marine resources. Lauding Dhaka’s progress in building a ‘Digital Bangladesh’, he said the EU could also share their experience with Bangladesh in this regard alongside sharing expertise on launching a satellite. In this connection, the PM said her government has already established some 5,272 Digital Centers at union level. It is creating more employment alongside curbing corruption, ensuring transparency and reaching the services to the doorsteps of common people. Regarding the prospect of country’s RMG sector, the EU ambassador said boosting RMG exports to $ 50 billion by 2021 is quite achievable and added that the EU is ready to provide necessary support.Mayaudon told the Prime Minister that they are interested to provide support in developing countrywide waterways since it is cheap and environment-friendly transport. It also generates more employment. The Premier said EU support is needed to maintain the navigability of country’s rivers since siltation fill up the riverbeds.Meanwhile, EU Ambassador advocated bringing the relation to a new high.In a press release, the EU said: “Bangladesh relations, including on Trade and Development, where the EU is the number one partner of Bangladesh. Blue Economy and Digital Bangladesh are, he said, among the areas where the EU can share its experience and expertise. This would bring the partnership into a new era of modernity.The EU envoy underlined that peace and stability would be critical for economic development. On this note he deplored violence affecting innocent citizens of Bangladesh.He reiterated the EU’s rejection of any form of violence and constant call for dialogue, the press release added.
