British High Commissioner in Dhaka Sarah Cooke on Wednesday said that the UK welcomed Bangladesh’s interim government led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus as the new government has Britain’s support.
“The interim government has the UK’s support as it works to restore peace and order, ensure accountability and chart a peaceful pathway to an inclusive, prosperous and democratic future for the people of Bangladesh,” she said.
Cooke made the remarks when she called on the interim government’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the foreign ministry in the capital.
In the meeting, the High Commissioner and the Adviser discussed how the UK can support the interim government’s work towards a democratic and prosperous future and other issues of mutual interest, including Rohingya, a press release issued by the British High Commission here said.
They also discussed the strong and enduring relationship between Bangladesh and the UK, cemented by their deep people-to-people ties and shared Commonwealth values.
“We have been deeply saddened by the violence and all loss of life in recent weeks. We recognise the bravery of the students and many others who through peaceful protest called for a different future for Bangladesh,” Cooke said.
Dhaka, Beijing had in-depth exchanges on current situations, developing partnership
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ambassador Yao Wen on Wednesday met Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and discussed issues of mutual interest.
The two sides had “in-depth exchanges of views” on current situations of Bangladesh and developing the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership of China and Bangladesh.
Earlier, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said China noted that Bangladesh has formed an interim government and welcomed it.
“China strictly follows the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs. We respect Bangladesh’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity and the development path independently chosen by the Bangladeshi people,” said the Spokesperson.
China said they stand firmly by their policy of good neighborliness and friendship with all people of Bangladesh.
“The friendship between China and Bangladesh runs long and deep. China values its relations with Bangladesh, and stands ready to work with Bangladesh to promote bilateral exchanges and cooperation in various areas and further advance our comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership,” said the Spokesperson.
Malaysia stands ready to help in restoring peace, security in Bangladesh
Besides, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has assured Bangladesh interim government Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus that his country stands ready to support the interim government in rebuilding and restoring peace and security in the country.
“Prof Yunus has long-standing good ties with Malaysia. Thus, I assured him that Malaysia stands ready to help and support the interim Government in rebuilding and restoring peace and security in Bangladesh,” said the Malaysian Prime Minister.
On Tuesday, he made a phone call to his “old friend” Prof Muhammad Yunus, to congratulate him personally on his recent appointment as the Chief Adviser for the Interim government of Bangladesh.
“I am very pleased that Prof Yunus has given his assurances to protect the rights of all Bangladeshis including minorities,” he said.
Prof Yunus also has invited the Malaysian Prime Minister to undertake a short visit to Bangladesh as soon as possible to further strengthen the brotherly relationship between the two countries, according to Malaysian Prime Minister’s verified Facebook page.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took the oath of office as head of Bangladesh’s interim government Thursday after protests forced out former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina this week.
The key tasks for Yunus now are restoring peace in Bangladesh and preparing for new elections following the ouster of Hasina, who fled to India after weeks of student protests over job quotas grew into an uprising against her increasingly autocratic 15-year rule.
