DHAKA, June 2, (V7N) – US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen paid a courtesy call on Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, at the Speaker's JS Bhaban office in the capital on Tuesday. Members of the US Embassy delegation and senior officials of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat were present at the meeting.
During the meeting, Speaker Hafiz Uddin noted that the journey of Bangladesh-US relations has advanced since the country's Liberation War in 1971. He recalled the contribution of former US diplomat Archer Kent Blood for supporting Bangladesh during the war and said the two countries are passing an important milestone in their friendly bilateral ties.
The Speaker stated that the latest parliamentary election in Bangladesh was held in a free and fair manner, adding that the Bangladeshi people have always struggled against authoritarianism. He stressed that Bangladesh can achieve genuine prosperity only through democracy.
The two sides underscored the importance of duty-free access for Bangladeshi products to the US market. They also exchanged views on increasing foreign direct investment cooperation, strengthening people-to-people contacts, observing Democracy Day through parliamentary caucus forums, US assistance in recovering laundered money, and easing public suffering from the energy issue through domestic oil and gas exploration.
Speaker Hafiz Uddin briefed the US Ambassador on the Rohingya issue and sought a stronger role from the United States in resolving the crisis. Ambassador Christensen congratulated the Speaker on his election to the post.
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