European Union Chief Election Observer Ivars Ijabs paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Bir Bikram at his office in the National Parliament.
The 13th national election has opened a new horizon for democracy in Bangladesh, the Speaker said, expressing hope that the current Parliament will play an effective role in fulfilling public aspirations, according to a press release.
He said former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia set an example in strengthening parliamentary democracy and ensuring women’s participation in national policymaking.
Despite ideological differences, political parties in both government and opposition tend to work together during national crises, which is a positive feature of parliamentary democracy, he said.
Discussions also focused on Bangladesh’s transition from Least Developed Country status to a middle-income economy, with both sides exchanging views on post-LDC trade challenges, including duty-free access to European markets and the prospect of a free trade agreement with the European Union.
The meeting reviewed women’s representation in parliament and the proportional representation of ethnic minority communities in the national legislature.
The Speaker stressed the need to form parliamentary friendship groups with EU member states and to increase exchange visits between parliamentary delegations to strengthen cooperation and mutual understanding.
European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh and members of the visiting delegation, along with senior officials of the National Parliament Secretariat, were present at the meeting.
