Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Britain is very significant as this is the first time after the January 5 election that she is going to any western country, said Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali at a press briefing yesterday.
“We hope that all bilateral issues will be discussed there,” the minister said.
British Prime Minister David Cameron invited Hasina to attend Girls Summit on July 22 and she will be flying today.
This invitation is considered significant as the British government and other governments of western countries criticised the government for its one-sided election on January 5.
“During her visit, the prime minister will have a bilateral meeting with her British counterpart at 10 Downing Street,” the minister said.
After the January 5 this is the first time Haisna will be having a meeting with a top leader of any western country, Mahmood said.
The minister refused to make any comments regarding if Bangladesh would raise the issue of deporting BNP leader Tarique Zia from London.
Tarique, the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, has been residing in London since 2008 but he has now gone to Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah and meet his mother.
In answer to a question the minister said Britain is a democratic country and anybody can have peaceful demonstrations there.
If BNP supporters in London wanted to stage a demonstration during the prime minister’s visit, they could, Mahmood said. Hasina will lead a 20-member delegation and is scheduled to come back on July 24.
