Reforms needed before elections, timing a domestic matter: EU envoy

The European Union supports the interim government's ambitious reform agenda and sufficient time is necessary to implement the reforms effectively, said Michael Miller, the EU ambassador to Bangladesh.

He also noted that the timing of Bangladesh's next general election is solely a domestic matter.

The ambassador made the remarks today in response to questions during the "DCAB Talk" organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the Jatiya Press Club, reports BSS.

Miller said, "We are waiting for political parties and the interim government to agree on a clearly prioritised and specific list of reforms.

"The EU brings technical expertise, financing, and political will to support the reform process. We stand ready to help."

Replying to a question, Miller said, "I think that I have to say that timing is a matter for Bangladesh to take a decision upon. We see this political transition as leading up to democratic elections…But as the European Union, we don't have an opinion about time, and we are not pressuring anyone to hold elections on a particular date."

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has recently said the people of Bangladesh think that the interim government is still the "good answer" for them but stressed that they will not go beyond June 2026 to hold the best election ever in the country.

Yunus, who is also chairman of the National Consensus Commission, stressed the urgency of accelerating reform efforts to ensure that the national election is held between December this year and June 2026, reports UNB.

Referring to their work with the Election Commission, Miller said they have been engaging to try to identify where the EU can be most helpful in supporting the conduct of the elections in line with international standards.

"We absolutely want the elections, when they are held, to be ones that we can look at and say, this is free and fair and the result is entirely credible," Miller said, adding that they we want to be part of that success story, because it will be a very significant milestone in Bangladesh's political transition.

Responding to a question, Miller said the EU supports the work of the United Nations fact-finding mission and underlined the need for accountability for the "terrible crimes" committed during the July Uprising.

"There must be accountability. There must be transparent and fair process and the rights of every single person should be respected through due process," he said.

He expressed hope that Bangladesh's judicial authorities will act based on evidence and uphold justice.

Talking about women's rights, the EU envoy said equality between men and women is the core value in Europe and it is a core universal value. 

Terming the recent report and the recommendations of the Women's Affairs Reform Commission as extremely important, he further stated the recommendations of the commission should be looked at "extremely carefully and closely" by political parties because they (EU) would like to see those recommendations translated into actions, reports UNB. 

Regarding the Rohingya crisis, Miller praised Bangladesh for its continued humanitarian efforts in hosting the displaced population, while reiterating the EU's support for a political solution.

"This crisis continues despite the best efforts of Bangladesh and its international partners," he said adding, "There is ongoing violence across the border, and we are working hard to facilitate a political solution- the only viable path forward."

The ambassador reiterated the EU's shared understanding with Bangladesh that any repatriation of Rohingya refugees must be safe, voluntary, and dignified, reports BSS.

As a long-standing humanitarian partner, he said the EU remains pragmatic in addressing the needs of the refugees and the host communities.