Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said Dhaka would welcome observers from the United States to monitor the upcoming 2023 general elections as US Ambassador Peter Haas said Washington would strictly maintain its neutrality as far as Bangladesh polls were concerned.
“I have invited all . . . anyone (who) wants come and observe (the polls) . . . you (also) are most welcome to come with your (US) observers,” Momen told a Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) seminar.
Bangladesh, he said, established all required instruments that for holding free, fair, transparent elections.
Momen’s comments came as the newly appointed US envoy in Dhaka said his country simply expected a democratic process to be followed that would allow Bangladeshis to freely decide who would run their country.
"(But) Let me be clear. The United States will not pick a side in the upcoming elections,” Hass told the seminar titled "Bangladesh and the United States Relations: Moving towards Enhanced Cooperation and Partnership" at the BIISS auditorium.
The ambassador touched upon various issues related to US-Bangladesh bilateral ties in areas including economy, law enforcement, defense and strategic cooperation, democracy, human rights and people to people contact.
“The US-Bangladesh relationship is at a turning point. The US is ready to hit the gas to enhance our partnership and realise the great potential of our relationship ... we are ready to move as quickly as you are,” he said.
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