Political parties won't waste time on minor problems
Political parties in Bangladesh will not waste their energy fighting each other on minor problems, rather they will work together for development of the country, leader of the German parliamentary delegation Sebastian Edathy expressed this optimism yesterday.
" The country's social mobility will be upward if the political parties overcome their differences and work together considering each other potential partners, not enemies, " Edathy told a news briefing at Zia International Airport before leaving Dhaka capping a five-day visit to Bangladesh.
He also said Bangladesh can be a role model where Islam and democracy go together. “Bangladesh is a country where majority of the people are of Muslim faith. It can be one of the countries where we can say Islam and democracy go together very well, and we need this as a signal for the global situation that we have.”
Edathy, who is chairman of the German-South Asian Parliamentary Friendship Group, led a five-member delegation of lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties.
Replying to a question, he said he will not comment on local politics, but expressed the hope that the political parties will soon concentrate on tackling the real problems. "I think this country has much more bigger problems than the smaller ones to debate."
Edathy said Germany might extend cooperation in Bangladesh's energy sector, particularly in renewable energy, and in exploring coal resources.
During their five-day stay, the delegation members met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Leader of the Opposition Khaelda Zia, Speaker Abdul Hamid and Foreign Minister Dipu Moni.
Meanwhile, an all-party parliamentary delegation from Bangladesh is likely to visit Germany in May or June on invitation from the German parliamentary team.
Responding to queries, the German parliamentarian said the issue of terrorism came up at his meetings with the prime minister and the opposition leader, and both agreed that terrorism is a challenge for the democratic system.
If requested, the German government can support training of Bangladeshi law enforcers by German professional trainers, and exchange knowledge about combating terrorism the way it does with the governments of India and Pakistan, Edathy said.
Asked about human rights situation in Bangladesh, he said ensuring human rights is a sign of the quality of democracy, and hoped the new government would ensure it. He also suggested providing the human rights commission with all facilities for its proper functioning.
German Ambassador to Bangladesh Frank Meyke and other senior officials of the embassy were present at the press briefing.
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