Momen sees no reason to worry about US, UK statements over polls

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said the government is not worried about the statements of the US and the UK on Bangladesh's election as many other countries have termed it free and fair.

"We are very happy that we were able to hold a free, fair, transparent, credible and non-violent election. People gave their verdict and that is enough. We don't need anymore," agencies quoted him as telling reporters on Tuesday.

He noted that they only respect people's verdict and nothing else, adding that the foreign election observers have expressed satisfaction over the polls and thanked the election commission for holding it fairly and peacefully. 

Before this, the minister attended a "meet and greet" event hosted by the ministry of foreign affairs in honor of foreign diplomats in Dhaka at state guesthouse Sugandha in the capital on Tuesday afternoon. 

At the meeting with the foreign diplomats, the foreign ministry said Sunday's election was important for maintaining a seamless democratic transition process in the country as per the Constitution.

Momen sought more international support for the next government to reach the goal of making a poverty and hunger free nation by 2041. 

"We look forward to seeing better partnership, better cooperation and better accommodation. This is essential to us," he told the diplomats, acknowledging their previous cooperation and collaboration that helped Bangladesh's many achievements. 

Indian High Commission's representative, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytsky, UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Gwyn Lewis, and high commissioners and ambassadors from various other countries were present there. 

Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen was also present.

"The 12th parliamentary election marks the continuation of a democratic Bangladesh polity that remains firmly committed to contribute to regional and global peace and security and to eliminate terrorism, counter radicalisation and extremism, while championing international development objectives," the ministry said in a written statement circulated among the diplomats at the event. 

"With the initiation of the new government, Bangladesh would be geared at further enhancing cooperation with its neighbours to ensure shared economic prosperity in South Asia through promotion of greater regional security, integration and connectivity," it added. 

"Alongside our economic strides, Bangladesh will also succeed in building a democratic society which our future generations will take pride in," the briefing note reads.

At the national level, the 12th parliamentary election results will usher in a fresh opportunity to infuse further dynamism into the impressive socio-economic performance sustained by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government during its past three tenures. Political stability under democratic rule has contributed a lot to these achievements, it said.

At the national level, it said, the election result will usher in a fresh opportunity to infuse further dynamism into the impressive socio-economic performance sustained by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government during its past three tenures. 

Political stability under democratic rule has contributed a lot to these achievements, it added.