The European Union and Germany said on Thursday that the political parties of Bangladesh should hold 'constructive talks' to ensure that the 2014 general elections could be held in a free and fair manner with participation of all.
'Parties should not do politics of blockade,' the visiting EU commissioner for development Andris Piebalg told a joint press conference with the visiting German minister for economic cooperation and development Dirk Niebel in Dhaka.
Piebalg said, the 2014 general elections in Bangladesh should be 'free, fair, and inclusive' and 'parties have an obligation to achieve [that]'.
'People have achieved huge progress in social and economic sectors. They also deserve political progress,' he said, adding, 'Constructive talks should be held between the parties.'
Asked about conflicting stances of the major political parties, the EU commissioner said, 'It is not for us to take a position [on the caretaker government issue].'
German minister Dirk Niebel seconded the statement made by the EU official.
Niebel said, 'Political parties have to find out a solution together for holding
free, fair, democratic, and inclusive elections in 2014.'
The two European dignitaries addressed the press after meeting leader of the opposition in parliament Khaleda Zia at her Gulshan office.
Piebalg and Niebel arrived in Dhaka on June 20 on a four-day joint official visit. It was, in fact, a fact-finding mission, a European Commission official in Dhaka said.
Making an oblique reference to the opposition's programmes, the German minister said, 'Even if you are in the opposition, you are elected for doing politics for people.'
He also pointed out that 'Today's opposition is tomorrow's government'.
Niebel said Germany would open an office of the Political Foundation in Dhaka for working with political parties for political education of the people.
On development activities, he said the pace of implementation of the projects was slow in Bangladesh.
Germany wants to see better administration of project implementation, he said, adding, 'Money should be used actively, efficiently, and sustainably so that not a penny is wasted.'
They lauded Bangladesh for reducing poverty from 40 per cent in 2005 to 31 per cent in 2010 and for attaining progress in social and economic sectors. However, they said, poverty 'is still a matter of concern'.
Asked about extrajudicial killings by law-enforcement agencies including the Rapid Action Battalion, the EU commissioner said rule of law meant justice for any person any where. 'Every one should have a chance to defend his or her side.'
Piebalg and Niebel also called together on prime minister Sheikh Hasina, finance minister AMA Muhith, and a select group of representatives of the civil society and the media.
They left Dhaka by a German Air Force aircraft on Thursday night.
Source : New Age
