Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday highlighted the interim government's commitment to building a new Bangladesh that requires new policies and a new institutional framework.
In an interactive session with the envoys of European countries at the Chief Adviser's Office, Prof Yunus reiterated that required reforms should be accomplished before holding the next national election. He hinted that an announcement on the reform and election process could be made this month.
Diplomats from European countries stationed in Dhaka and New Delhi attended the interactive session at his office on Monday.
"We have to wait for the reports of the reform commission to incorporate its proposals in the election process," he told the diplomats, explaining the government's two responsibilities: holding the election and carrying out reforms in various areas.
Prof Yunus said they will be ready for the election if the election process reforms are accomplished. He noted that if the government holds the election now, it will be an old-fashioned one, and all the old-fashioned problems will return.
The chief adviser said the political parties are very interested in holding the election. "We are also interested in holding the election," he added.
He mentioned that there are 15 different commissions, and the government is expecting reports from these commissions by the end of this month to the middle of January.
During the meeting, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus urged the European Union (EU) to extend support to Bangladesh to transform its energy sector.
"We look forward to your cooperation on thatwe also talked to other countries to provide us support for the transformation of our energy sector," he said during the interactive session with the diplomats of European countries stationed in Dhaka and New Delhi.
Prof Yunus said the environment is, of course, a top priority for them, according to the press wing of the Chief Adviser. Bangladesh is a victim of environmental degradation, Prof Yunus said, adding: "In one area, I get very interested - renewable energy".
The chief adviser mentioned that Bangladesh is going to open a door with Nepal in this regard. Referring to his meeting with President of the European Commission Ursula Von der Leyen on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September this year, the chief adviser said when he got the chance to talk to Ursula Von der Leyen, the issue of renewable energy came up very strongly. Ursula Von promised to provide all technological support for Bangladesh for the transformation of its energy sector, he added.
Christian Brix Mller, Ambassador of Denmark to Bangladesh; Marie Masdupuy, Ambassador of France to Bangladesh; Achim Trster, Ambassador of Germany to Bangladesh; Antonio Alessandro, Ambassador of Italy to Bangladesh; Gabriel Sistiaga Ochoa de Chinchetru, Ambassador of Spain to Bangladesh; Nicholas Weeks, Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh; Michael Miller, Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Bangladesh; and Andre Carstens, CDA a.i., Embassy of the Netherlands in Dhaka, were present at the interactive session with the chief adviser.
Didier Vanderhasselt, Ambassador of Belgium to Bangladesh; Nikolay Yankov, Ambassador of Bulgaria to Bangladesh; Marje Luup, Ambassador of Estonia to Bangladesh; Peggy Frantzen, Ambassador of Luxembourg to Bangladesh; Rbert Maxin, Ambassador of Slovakia to Bangladesh; Evagoras Vryonides, High Commissioner-designate of Cyprus to Bangladesh; Gabor Szucs, First Secretary, Dhaka Office of the Hungarian Embassy in New Delhi; Jaroslaw Jerzy Groberek, Counsellor, Poland Embassy in New Delhi; Sofia Batalha, Deputy Head of Mission, Portugal Embassy in New Delhi; Irma inkovec, First Secretary, Embassy of Slovenia in New Delhi; and Ruxandra Ciocanelea, Second Secretary, Embassy of Romania in New Delhi, were also present.
