Photo: Collected
Kosovo’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Lulzim Plana paid a courtesy call on Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed at his office today (Wednesday).
The Speaker said Bangladesh and Kosovo share a common bond of independence and culture. The people of Kosovo made the supreme sacrifice for their country’s independence. In his view, the people of the two countries also have close cultural ties.
The Speaker remarked that over the past 17 years the democratic rights of the people of Bangladesh were undermined through farcical elections. He said the Awami League government had established a reign of terror through enforced disappearances, killings, extrajudicial killings and vote rigging. He also noted that the picture of the previous government’s brutal and barbaric rule was reflected in the UN fact-finding report.
According to the Speaker, Sheikh Hasina’s autocracy ended in the July mass uprising of 2024, and Bangladesh’s democratic journey resumed.
Recalling that the people of Bangladesh love democracy, the Speaker said the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election was one of the freest, most credible and fairest elections in the country’s history. He also remarked that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman of the current government is working to fulfil the aspirations of the people.
In the view of Ambassador Lulzim Plana, a new democratic chapter has begun in Bangladesh. He considers commendable the way members of the current parliament are actively taking part in parliamentary debates. He said a large part of Bangladesh’s population is young and of working age; equipped with quality education and ICT knowledge, they can contribute to the country’s economy.
The ambassador expressed gratitude to Bangladesh for recognising Kosovo as an independent state. He also invited the Speaker to visit Kosovo.
At the meeting, both stressed forming a parliamentary caucus group between the two countries, expanding trade and investment, joint academic and research activities, and sports and cultural exchanges.
Representatives of the Kosovo embassy and senior officials concerned, including the secretary of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat, were present at the meeting.
Background
On 27 February 2017, the then cabinet secretary told journalists that Bangladesh had recognised Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state, making Bangladesh the 114th country to recognise Kosovo, Albania’s Top Channel reported that day.
Sources
Background sources: Top Channel (Albania), 27 February 2017
