Baroness Warsi meets Bangladesh political leaders in Dhaka
UK Senior Foreign Office Minister Baroness Warsi made her second visit this year to Bangladesh.
The visit comes ahead of Bangladesh elections planned for January 2014, which have been preceded by increasing levels of violence. During her visit she called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office and opposition leader Khaleda Zia at her residence, Election Commissioner and Foreign Minister in Dhaka to discuss bilateral issues and recent developments.
Following the meetings Baroness Warsi said,
It is welcome news for everyone that dialogue between the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party are taking place. In all my meetings today I stressed the importance of free, fair and transparent elections next year, an election free from intimidation and violence.
She stressed that recent violence was damaging not only to Bangladesh’s reputation but also its economy and livelihoods of its people. The minister also met with Foreign Minister Mahmud Ali to discuss bilateral and international issues, as well as concerns raised by many in the international community at the imminent execution of Abdul Qader Mollah. She said “the UK and the EU opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances in all countries”.
Further information
Visit the UK and Bangladesh website pages
Follow Foreign Office Minister Baroness Warsi on twitter @SayeedaWarsi
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