Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki on Monday (Nov 14) said that his country expected that the next general elections here would be free, fair and participatory.

He also said: ‘We expect free and fair elections in Bangladesh. We expressed concern over 2018 elections as it was more focused on violence."

The envoy was addressing an event titled Meet the Ambassador, organised by Centre for Governance Studies with the support of Friedrich Ebert Stiftung Bangladesh in city.

Ito said that major political parties would join the next polls to be held in December 2023 or in January 2024.

It’ll be very difficult to see the repatriation of Rohingyas in a full-scale soon, he said, adding that unless the situation in Myanmar improves, it’ll be very difficult to see their repatriation to Myanmar.

He also said they were ready to work with the government of Bangladesh for repatriation of the Rohingyas.

According to the ambassador, his country wanted to elevate the bilateral ties with Bangladesh to a ‘strategic’ level adding more elements like defence and security areas to the growing relations.

He said that infrastructure development, connectivity, maritime security and capacity building of security forces were parts of the practical cooperation that they promoted.

The envoy, however, said there were challenges but hopefully there would be improvements in terms of investment environment.

BDST: 1625 HRS, NOV 14, 2022
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