United States has praised BNP for taking decision to participate in the municipal election.
Counselor of the US Department of State and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs-Designate Thomas Shannon made the comment during his meeting with former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.
“In his meeting with former Prime Minister Zia, Ambassador Shannon commended the BNP's decision to contest municipal elections in December,” said a press release of the US embassy.
Ambassador Shannon expressed hope that the December municipal elections would be free, fair, and peaceful.
Shannon came to Dhaka on Sunday in a two-day trip and left Dhaka for Colombo Monday.
During his visit, he was accompanied by Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal and Deputy Assistant Secretary for South Asia Manpreet Singh Anand.
His trip, one of the first bilateral visits he has made since being nominated, highlighted the importance the United States places on its partnership with Bangladesh.
He was impressed with Bangladesh's development success and its continued growth, putting it on track to achieve lower-middle income status soon.
He had courtesy call on meetings with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali. He also met senior government and parliamentary leaders, as well as opposition parties, media, civil society, and labour representatives.
Ambassador Shannon also visited a USAID-funded healthcare clinic and delivered remarks on bilateral relations at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).
He noted ongoing cooperation in security, trade, development, climate change, women’s empowerment, and countering violent extremism.
Ambassador Shannon said the US-Bangladesh partnership is one whose strength, resilience and potential will only grow with time.
In his meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he congratulated her for her global leadership on climate change, development, and women’s empowerment issues.
He reaffirmed the value that the United States places on its relationship with Bangladesh and conveyed the continued friendship and support of the US people.
In his meeting with opposition leader Ershad, Shannon expressed support for the role of opposition parties in ensuring a vibrant, healthy democracy.