Speaker Hafiz, German envoy discuss formation of Germany-Bangladesh parliamentary committee

Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Wednesday discussed forming a Germany-Bangladesh parliamentary committee and expanding parliamentary diplomacy through friendship groups with German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Rüdiger Lotz.

The two sides also discussed increasing German investment in Bangladesh, particularly in exploring oil and gas resources in coastal areas and establishing fertiliser factories.

The German ambassador paid a courtesy call on Hafiz at his office.

“Both Germany and Bangladesh are fraternal countries in the democratic sphere,” Hafiz said.

He said Bangladesh and Germany are long-standing friendly countries and that the presence of German observers during Bangladesh’s latest parliamentary election has further strengthened ties between the two countries.

The Speaker said Bangladesh experienced prolonged exploitation and severe democratic discrimination during the Pakistan period and, despite achieving independence through the Liberation War in 1971, its democratic transition had been repeatedly disrupted.

“People became frustrated with 15 years of misrule by the Awami League. A mass uprising of students and people took place against enforced disappearances, killings, extrajudicial killings and farcical elections,” Hafiz said.

He said democracy has been restored through an acceptable and neutral election following the mass uprising, according to a press release issued by the Parliament Secretariat.

Hafiz said the people of Bangladesh have repeatedly sacrificed themselves for democracy and had never deviated from their long struggle to establish the rule of law.

The German ambassador said Bangladesh had moved from authoritarian rule towards democracy after 15 years of authoritarian governance.

He said the elected government is facing many challenges and pledged the German government’s highest possible support to make democracy effective in Bangladesh.

The Speaker invited German experts to explore oil and gas resources within Bangladesh’s maritime boundary and coastal areas, saying the country’s future economy would depend on energy.

Representatives of the German Embassy and relevant officials of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat were present at the meeting.