Bangladesh: Bangladesh and Germany are long-standing friendly countries, and the presence of German observers in Bangladesh's latest parliamentary election has further strengthened the existing ties between the two countries, Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikrom, said today. "Both Germany and Bangladesh are fraternal countries in the democratic sphere," he said when German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Rdiger Lotz paid a courtesy call on him at his office here.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Speaker highlighted that Bangladesh had faced prolonged exploitation and severe democratic discrimination during the Pakistan period. Although the country attained independence through the Liberation War in 1971, its democratic transition was repeatedly disrupted. "People became frustrated with 15 years of misrule by the Awami League. A mass uprising of students and people took place against enforced disappearances, killings, extrajudicial killings, and farcical elections," Hafiz Uddin stated.
He further mentioned that democracy had been restored in the country through an acceptable and neutral election in the wake of the mass uprising, as noted in a press release from the parliament secretariat. The Speaker emphasized that the people of Bangladesh had repeatedly sacrificed for democracy and had never deviated from their long struggle to establish the rule of law.
German Ambassador Dr Rdiger Lotz remarked that Bangladesh had transitioned from authoritarian rule towards democracy after enduring 15 years of authoritarian governance. He acknowledged that the elected government currently faces many challenges and pledged the German government's highest possible support to make democracy effective in Bangladesh.
During the meeting, the delegation stressed the formation of a Germany-Bangladesh parliamentary committee and the expansion of parliamentary diplomacy through friendship groups. They also emphasized increasing German economic investment in Bangladesh, particularly in exploring oil and gas wells in coastal areas and establishing fertiliser factories.
The Speaker invited German experts to explore oil and gas resources in Bangladesh's maritime boundary and coastal areas, informing the ambassador that Bangladesh's future economy would depend on energy. Representatives of the German Embassy and relevant officials of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat were present at the meeting.