Peter Haas, Charles Whiteley to meet Hasan Mahmud today

Amid continuous greetings from Bangladesh's international friends and partners to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her re-election, ambassadors of the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) are set to meet Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today (January 17) at his office.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas, who was criticised in the political arena before the January 7 national election, will meet the foreign minister at 12.00 pm today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Later, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley will meet Minister Hasan Mahmud at 1.00 pm, according to the minister’s programme schedule.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formed her new cabinet on January 11 with a combination of new and old faces.

Even though the United States concluded that the election was not “free or fair,” it voiced commitment to work with Bangladesh.

The US ambassador also attended the oath-taking ceremony held at Bangabhaban recently.

“Looking ahead, the United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, and to deepening our people-to-people and economic ties,” said US State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller a day after the election.

The European Union (EU) said it will continue to work with the government of Bangladesh on the priorities that characterise their longstanding relations in the political, human rights, trade and development spheres including the country’s possible future access to the GSP+ preferential trade scheme.