EC working independently

Describing the Election Commission as an independent body, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said it has been working independently in every field.

She said this when French Ambassador to Bangladesh Sophie Aubert met her at her office.

After the meeting, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed journalists.

He said the French diplomat apprised the PM of the update of the Smart Card project of the Election Commission, which is being implemented by a French company.

Aubert sought Bangladesh government's support in this regard, saying that the French government was also providing support to complete the project quickly.

Assuring her all-out cooperation in the project, Hasina hoped that the French company would provide quality products and complete the work within the stipulated time.

The French envoy also informed Hasina of the progress on the Bangabandhu Satellite, which is scheduled to be launched in December.

Aubert handed over a letter of French PM Edouard Philippe to Hasina where he said both the countries are going to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the beginning of the diplomatic relations this year.

Philippe hoped that Dhaka and Paris would continue to strengthen the cooperation in a number of areas such as climate change and sustainable development.

Recalling French support during the Liberation War of Bangladesh, Hasina welcomed the young leadership in the French government.

Hasina said she was glad to see the young and dynamic leadership in France and was waiting to meet the new French president during an upcoming event of Unesco in Paris in late October.

Senior Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office Suraiya Begum and Military Secretary to the PM Maj Gen Miah Mohammad Joynul Abedin were present at that time.