No one in the interim govt has political ambitions or wants benefits: Foreign Affairs Adviser

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday said no one in the interim government has any political ambition or wants benefits out of this.

Talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus took up the responsibility upon request which is known to all.

Quoting Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul, he said they will not stay even for an additional day after fulfilling their primary goal of reforms in line with the demands of the students.

Earlier, a number of diplomats including High Commissioners of India, United Kingdom, Ambassadors of China and Saudi Arabia, Chargé d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy and acting Ambassador of the European Union met the Foreign Affairs Adviser at his office.

At the meetings, the adviser broadly explained why the interim government is in place and the roadmap they have ahead.

He said reforms are needed in state structure, addressing the anarchy in the banking sector as money was looted from banks by some people, and efforts are needed to combat corruption and end impunity.

The adviser said the countries are willing to work with the interim government.

Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma said there was no specific agenda for the discussion as it was a courtesy meeting.

He, however, said they want to make sure that their partnership with Bangladesh benefits the people.

On relations with China, the adviser said Bangladesh’s relations with China are always friendly and it will remain unhurt no matter which government is in power. He said the people of Bangladesh see relations with China positively.

"Let me reassure you that the EU will remain Bangladesh's friend and steadfast partner," EU acting envoy Dr Bernd Spanier told reporters after his meeting with the adviser.

The envoy said he came to listen to the needs of the interim government and how they can best support this transition period.

The European Union looks forward to supporting the interim government and the transition process with a range of instruments at its disposal, he said.

"As EU, we are used to working with governments around the world. So, we have short-term, midterm and long-term instruments in which we can support Bangladesh," he said.

Asked whether he discussed the GSP plus issue, he said: "We have not talked about GSP plus because this is anyway a process a bit more in the future and not of immediate concern right now."

US Chargé d'affaires Helen LaFave affirmed the US government’s willingness to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh.

Underlining the priorities of the current government, Adviser Hossain emphasized that the government would hold elections to transfer power to the elected representatives as soon as the reforms that the students and the people of Bangladesh envisaged are complete.

Important bilateral matters were also discussed during the meeting.