Ambassador of Turkey to Bangladesh Mustafa Osman Turan on Wednesday said that ruling Awami League and opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party should sit together to resolve political issues ahead of the next general elections.
"In Bangladesh, there is obviously a room for dialogue. Unfortunately that has not taken place yet," the Turkish envoy said while addressing an event titled 'Meet the Ambassador' at a city hotel.
Mustafa said Turkey believed the election was an internal matter of Bangladesh and it was the responsibility of the country, not the foreigners, to take decision on its elections.
"It is up to Bangladesh to decide whether the elections will be free and fair, not foreigners," he said.
The Turkish ambassador said political parties need to meet and address their differences, and that government alone cannot do everything required.
Responding to a question, Ambassador Turan said they see Bangladesh as a "trustworthy manufacturing hub", and it is going to be their prominent partner in the region.
The envoy said Turkey plans to diversify their trade and investment in Bangladesh.
Asked about Turkish plans to develop strategic relations with Bangladesh, he said the plans should be mutually agreed upon.
The ambassador said relations between Bangladesh and Turkey is based on trust and they look forward to broadening partnership with Bangladesh.
Zillur Rahman, Executive Director of the Centre for Governance Studies, moderated the programme.
Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) hosted the event in collaboration with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Bangladesh.
News Courtesy: