CG should make good use of political will

It is clear that Bangladesh is passing through a turbulent political period with significant changes in the caretaker government, continuing stalemate between major parties and deployment of armed forces, he said.

He was talking to newsmen here on their preparation about the forthcoming EU election observer mission to Bangladesh.

Head of the Political and Trade section at the EU mission Charles Whitely also accompanied him.

The envoy said, it is vital that political will is put to good use by the caretaker government and political parties have to ensure that a way forward is found which will fulfil people's expectation for a free, fair and peaceful elections.

The EU is committed to effective and credible observation of the election, as a pivotal plank of our global policy on human rights and democracy.

Each year, the EU selects around 10 countries for full scale election observation, Dr. Stefan added.

Selection of Bangladesh as a priority country for EU observation proves that EU attaches great importance to 'our relationship with Bangladesh', he said.

The importance is well illustrated by the fact that EU receives 54 per cent of Bangladesh's exports and is also the largest donor to the country.

Moreover. as a democracy in an 'unstable region', Bangladesh carries enormous strategic potential to act as an 'influence' for peace and stability in South Asia. Such considerations explain why the EU and others take such interest in the democratic process in Bangladesh, he said.

Dr. Stefan said, "We will send a much bigger team to observe the 2007 elections than that was sent in 2001. We expect, 40 long term observers, who will arrive around 6 weeks before the election and 100 short term observers".

In addition, there will be 10 strong core teams, headed by a member of the European Parliament, which will include legal, political, media and logistics experts.

The EU team will also be reinforced by several observers from Norway, Switzerland and Canada and by diplomats resident in Dhaka.

"With the US, Commonwealth and others sending international observers and a huge array of domestic observers, we can be confident of a comprehensive and reliable assessment of the parliamentary elections", he hoped.