DHAKA: Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali briefed the Ambassadors of the European Union countries and the Head of Delegation of the European Union in Bangladesh on the current political situation in the country.

The briefing was organized as part of the Foreign Minister’s regular consultations with the Ambassadors and Heads of Mission based in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Foreign Minister briefed the Ambassadors of other European States--Russia, Norway, the Holy See and Switzerland along similar lines.

The Foreign Minister thanked the European Union Ambassadors for their cooperation in adding further depth and dimension to Bangladesh’s diplomatic relations with the European Union.

The Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union expressed concerns over the ongoing violence, particularly loss of lives and property.

He urged the need for containing such violence in a manner that it should not impinge on the democratic space and freedom of assembly, expression and media.

Foreign Minister referred to the recent media reports regarding a telephone call made by the President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Amit Shah, to Begum Khaleda Zia, and a statement issued by six US congressmen expressing their concern over the recent political situation in Bangladesh, and said that upon inquiry both have been found to be absolutely false.

The foreign minister expressed his sadness at the shooting of Ambassador Reaz Rahman, Advisor to the BNP Chairperson, by miscreants on 13 January.

He said that the Government would ensure thorough investigations into the incident and has already instructed the Dhaka Metropolitan Police to remain seized with the matter.

He also informed that since neither Rahman nor members of his family agreed to file a case, the Police on its own volition filed a case in this regard. The EU Head of Delegation said that Bangladesh had the EU’s abiding support in combating terrorism.

During the briefing, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Md. Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Md. Shahidul Haque were present.

BDST: 2155 HRS, JAN 14, 2015