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It is for Bangladesh to decide the timing of next general election, which will be an important milestone for the nation, says Head of Delegation of the European Union Michael Miller.
He also feels that the political parties and the national consensus commission need to finalise a specific list of reforms which will be completed before the holding of the elections.
"We see this political transition is leading up to democratic elections, so that's the important milestone I mentioned. But as the European Union, we don't have an opinion on time, and we are not pressuring anyone to hold elections on a particular date," the envoy said at DCAB talks organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Bangladesh (DCAB) in Dhaka.
He makes it clear that they think there needs to be sufficient time to the implement reforms undertaken by the post-uprising interim government.
"So we think that that is something where a bit of space needs to exist," the envoy told the DCAB talks organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Bangladesh (DCAB) in the city.
The diplomat expressed EU's desire to contribute to the electoral reform so that Bangladesh can see free and fair polls.
"We absolutely want the elections, when they are held, to be ones that we can look at and say, this is free and fair. The result is entirely credible, and we want to be put to that success story, because it will be, if you like, a very significant requirement in your political transition, not the end of it," he notes.
Responding to a question on repatriation of stolen assets he said that the process is very long and to do that Bangladesh must present specific evidence.
"If you want the recovery of stolen assets, you need to share with our member states' judicial authorities sufficient credible evidence," he said, adding that the process is taking a number of years, because 'it is a judicial process that has to keep going through"
Asked about security cooperation between the EU and Bangladesh, he said Bangladesh is also a security partner for the European Union and both are working on areas of security, as well as maritime security.
The EU has offered military-to-military cooperation, he added.
Asked to assess the challenges in front of the government he said, "I would like to say that the interim government faces a number of challenges - security, economy, financial sector.
"What I see is that there is a direction of travel which is positive. So from a very difficult situation, the transition is certainly not over, but things are moving in the right direction."
Responding to a question, he said that the EU is positive about cross-border channeling of aid to Rakhine State and it is common in many distressed areas of the world.
"Now, the question on the definition of a corridor versus the definition of a passage, I am unable to give you an inside information. What I can tell you is that, as a humanitarian partner for Bangladesh, we are quite happy to be about how we can meet the needs of the refugees.
"If the refugees are here, we'll meet their needs here, if they are on the other side of the border, because the situation might one day improve. Also look at how we can channel assistance to them there, because it can be cross-border. We have done cross-border assistance in other parts, and it can work," he elaborated.
About solution to the Rohingya crisis he said the crisis goes on despite the best efforts of Bangladesh and partners like the European Union.
"There are enormous efforts being made by Bangladesh," he said, adding that there is violence on the other side of the border.
He said they were trying very hard to support a political solution which is "the only solution to this crisis".
The European Union is in agreement Bangladesh authorities that return can "only be in a safe, dignified, and voluntary manner".
About the trial of the perpetrators involved in killings during the July upsurge he said the trial should be evidence-based, transparent and in compliance with international standards.
Responding to a question, he said that the EU is aware of the concerns of Bangladeshi citizens in obtaining visas for many European countries from third countries.
DCAB president AKM Main Uddin moderated the discussion event while Arifuzzaman Mamun, DCAB secretary, made the welcome remarks.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com