DHAKA: Ruling Awami League (AL) on Thursday categorically said the European Union Parliament’s (MEP) Subcommittee of Human Rights delegation that violence and national dialogue cannot be held simultaneously.

AL leaders also said dialogue cannot be held with those who were committing violence as the two cannot go together.

Dr Gowher Rizvi, foreign affairs adviser to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, briefed the journalists after the 40-minute meeting that started at 3:20pm with EU Delegations at AL presidents Dhanmondi political office.

He said, “We have told the delegation that violence, sabotage and dialogue cannot go simultaneously.”

First, they have to stop committing violence, he added.

Vice-Chair of Subcommittee of Human Rights Cristian Dan Preda led the six-member MEP delegation while Local Government and Rural Development minister Syed Ashraful Islam, also AL general secretary, led the Awami League delegation.

BDST: 1920 HRS, FEB 19, 2015