Polls must meet minimum democratic standards, says German minister
UNB
Minister of State at the German Federal Foreign Office Niels Annen will have political talks with Bangladesh leadership today as Germany wants to see the next national election meets minimum democratic standards in Bangladesh, reports UNB.
While in Dhaka, the German Minister will have political talks with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali as well as a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Among the topics of foreign and regional affairs under discussion, particular focus will be on the Rohingya crisis, said the German Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.
Prior to his arrival in Dhaka yesterday afternoon, Minister of State Annen said, on my first official trip to Dhaka, we will be talking about the response to the Rohingya crisis, for which Bangladesh deserves our respect and to which Germany is also providing important assistance.
He said he will also use his discussions with unions and textile buyers to call for sustainable and humane working conditions in the local textile industry.
The Minister of State, who is now on a three-day visit, will meet members of the political opposition and hold talks with representatives of civil society.
His intention is to hear about current developments in the human rights situation in Bangladesh, reads the German Foreign Ministry statement.
Germany is providing humanitarian assistance and stabilisation projects to support Bangladesh, which has taken in more than a million Rohingyas fleeing Myanmar.
