The European Parliament (EP) supports Bangladesh in its endeavour to fight terrorism, Maria de los Angeles Castillo, the Head of Division of South Asia unit of European External Action Service (EEAS), has said.
Speaking on security situation of Bangladesh at its regular monthly meeting of the South Asia Delegation of the European Parliament held on Monday in Brussels, Castillo referred to the EP resolutions, statements from the HRVP/spokesperson and said that the EU delegation in Dhaka has been requested  to engage in dialogues. Mentioning the July 01 Gulshan incident as ‘shocking, unpleasant and unacceptable’, Bangladesh Head of Mission to EU, Ambassador Ismat Jahan expressed condolences on behalf of the people of Bangladesh as well as from the government to the bereaved family members of the innocent victims.
She said that terrorism is now an international phenomenon and it is reassuring that the EU also joined Bangladesh to cooperate.
The ambassador underscored that combating terrorism is important for Bangladeshi people as well as for the country’s economy.
“The people of Bangladesh do not want any destabilisation in the country; therefore, every possible measure would be taken to maintain it,” she said.
In reply to the specific question about the arrest of some thousand people in recent times, Ismat replied that the country is undergoing many “terrorist attacks” and based on the intelligence report, suspected perpetrators are taken into custody.
But that does not mean any systematic crack down which has a negative connotation, she said, adding that after investigation, if someone is not found guilty, he/she is immediately released.
The meeting, presided over by the chair of the South Asia delegation, Jean Lambert, also discussed the issue related to migration.
Castillo of EEAS said that they are closely working with South Asian countries especially Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh on this issue.