Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of the interim government, on Monday urged European countries to relocate their visa centres for Bangladeshis from Delhi to Dhaka or to another neighboring country.
The appeal was made during a meeting at the chief adviser's office in Tejgaon, where a 19-member delegation of the diplomats of European countries, stationed in Dhaka and New Delhi, participated.
Dr Yunus appealed to the attending ambassadors to relocate their visa centres for Bangladeshis from Delhi to Dhaka or a neighboring country, saying: "India's restrictions on visas for Bangladeshis have created uncertainties for many students who cannot travel to Delhi for European visas.”
He added: “Consequently, European universities are missing out on talented Bangladeshi students. Relocating visa offices to Dhaka or a nearby country would benefit both Bangladesh and the European Union."
Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain, who attended the meeting, said that Bulgaria has already relocated its visa centre for Bangladeshis to Indonesia and Vietnam.
He urged other countries to adopt a similar approach.
The EU representatives expressed full support for the reform initiatives of the chief adviser and assured their commitment to providing advice and assistance in building a new Bangladesh.
During the meeting, Dr Yunus said: "We celebrate victory throughout December. It is a great pleasure for me to engage in such an interactive discussion with you during this month of victory."
He paid tribute to those who were martyred or injured in the July-August mass uprisings and briefly outlined the human rights abuses, forced disappearances, and exploitation that have occurred over the past 16 years.
Dr Yunus highlighted issues of corruption, money laundering, and disruptions in the banking system, as detailed in the Economic White Paper, and addressed the widespread misinformation about Bangladesh.
He called on the European Union for assistance in countering such misinformation.
He also alleged that the autocratic Sheikh Hasina and her associates, who were forced to flee during the July uprisings, had laundered significant amounts of money to destabilize the country.
The chief adviser emphasized the importance of national unity and mentioned his ongoing dialogues with representatives of all political parties and religious communities in Bangladesh.
He also provided the EU representatives with detailed insights into the reform process and election procedures being undertaken by the interim government.
