UK to help Bangladesh fight terrorism
The United Kingdom will work together with Bangladesh to combat terrorism as well as provide support to Bangladesh to this end.
UK Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Dr Kim Howells MP said these during a courtesy call on Prime Minister Khaleda Zia at her office yesterday.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Khaleda said her government has given top priority to poverty alleviation and spreading education as poverty and illiteracy breed frustration, which often might create terrorism.
She expressed the hope that the UK would provide cooperation in this initiative of poverty alleviation, spreading education and capacity building.
Dr Howells expressed shock at the killing of two judges and referred to terrorism in his country.
He rated the just concluded 13th Saarc Summit as very successful and congratulated her for successfully hosting and completing the event.
Dr Howells said Bangladesh one day would emerge as an economic power through proper utilisation of its natural resources.
He mentioned that there are half a million Bangladeshi people in the UK, who are hardworking and respectable citizens.
The two countries, he added, have historical relations that became deeper over the years through the expansion of many areas of cooperation.
Emerging from the meeting with the Prime Minister, Dr Howells told journalists that they discussed a wide range of issues, including trade, economic and education cooperation, and international terrorism.
He said they have emphasised how important is the Bangladesh-UK relations, which has historical and economical link.
No country in the world is safe from terrorism, he said and added that the UK would support Bangladesh in many ways to strengthen police and intelligence forces as well as in capacity building through training and other supports.
He praised Bangladesh's stand against international terrorism and the government's steps to maintain domestic law and order.
Replying to a question, Dr Howells said they have also discussed the issue of changing educational curriculum of the country in order to compete globally as Bangladesh has large number of young people in its big population.
He said it is the only way Bangladesh will survive as well as to propel the economy through raising the education level, especially education of girls.
During the meeting, the UK side appreciated the achievements in girls' education of Bangladesh and assured of cooperation in education sector, particularly to girls' education.
Khaleda conveyed greetings to Tony Blair through Dr Howells.
British High Commissioner in Dhaka Anwar Choudhury accompanied Dr Howells.