Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Tajul Islam has said that calling on foreigners to interfere in the internal affairs of the country including national elections would bring misfortune to the country. Bangladesh is an independent-sovereign country. If there is any internal problem, they can discuss among themselves. The minister also said that his own country is made smaller when he talks with a representative of a foreign country.
The minister was responding to a question from reporters after meeting newly-appointed EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whatley at his ministry office in the capital on Thursday.
Asked whether the meeting discussed national elections, the minister said, "No one from outside should talk about national elections in our country. This is a matter of dignity of this country. Just as it is not my responsibility to comment on elections in any other country, the same process applies to others. We may share their experiences on some issues.”
In this regard, Minister Tajul Islam further said that there is a controversy all over the world about elections and in our country, also elections are not above controversy. Countries that allow others to interfere in internal affairs have suffered. Today, looking at Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan or Libya, this becomes clear.
Replying to a question on the BNP's grievances with the ambassadors of different countries, he said, "Under the leadership of Awami League, unprecedented changes have taken place in the country.
The people of the country are happy. Those who did not want this country, those who cannot tolerate the development of this country. It is normal for them to swear at foreigners.”
Regarding the meeting with the ambassador, the local government minister said, "We have talked to them about their various projects. There is a project called Rural Court Activation. The European Union and several European countries provide us with financial and technological support. In some districts it was in the form of a pilot project. Now we have taken the initiative to launch this project across the country. There they agreed to finance.”
They are also funding a project called the Local Government Initiative on Climate Change (LOGIC). In light of this experience, the local government minister agreed to meet with ambassadors from the European Union and other countries to finance large projects across the country, and requested that a time and place be set in consultation with his office.
In addition, coastal areas have water shortages during the dry season. Drinking water is very difficult. That is why various diseases including diarrhea occur here. We are developing a project to provide safe and safe drinking water to schools and homes in coastal areas using solar-powered technology. They are interested in financing this project.
