Bangladesh
Bangladesh EU will not follow US visa policies
Dhaka, 28 May 2023 : The European Union (EU) will not follow the new visa policy of the United States, said its ambassador in Dhaka Charles Whiteley.
He spoke in an interview given to a private television.
Charles Whiteley said the United States had adopted their policy and announced it.
The European Union's policy is different. We are giving importance to pre-election mission.
I believe, political parties know the necessity of their participation in elections. Which party will participate is entirely up to them. If there is any mistrust about the election, they can sit for dialogue.
If the national elections are free and fair, it can open the doors of GSP plus facilities in the European market, he said, if the elections are fair and free, it will give a very positive signal that Bangladesh is ready for GSP plus. Because according to international agreement on civil and political rights everyone should have minimum civil and political rights.
EU pre-election observation team is coming to Bangladesh on a 13-day mission. Mentioning that they will meet with everyone, Whiteley said, "The pre-election observation team will come to Bangladesh on July 8 and will stay until July 21." During this time, they will talk to everyone including political parties, civil society, media. Will observe the election environment and movement here.' On the night of May 24, a statement from the US Embassy in Dhaka informed about the announcement of the new visa policy for Bangladesh.
It is reported that there will be restrictions on the granting of visas to persons responsible or involved in obstructing the democratic election process in Bangladesh.
After the announcement of the visa policy, US Ambassador to Dhaka Peter Haas held a two-hour meeting with the representatives of Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party (Japa) on May 25. Sources of the meeting said that various political and economic issues were discussed.
