Working on strengthening democratic environment: PM tells Norwegian Minister

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said her government has been working on strengthening democratic environment in the country.

She said this when visiting Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt paid a courtesy call on her at Ganobhaban.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

Hasina said Bangladesh remains committed to building a peaceful, just and inclusive society.

"The government has been working on strengthening democratic environment and institutions in the country. The Election Commission which conducts the polls is a totally independent institution," the PM was quoted as saying.

She said Bangladesh's democracy suffered when the military rulers captured power. "They [the military rulers] ascended to power using guns and then descended on politics by forming political parties," she was quoted.

At the outset of the meeting, they exchanged greetings marking the 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The Norwegian minister commended Bangladesh for sheltering 1.1 million Rohingya refugees. "We know it is an economic pressure on Bangladesh," she said.

Anniken Huitfeldt said the cooperation between the two countries will be deepened further.

Bangladesh wants to procure LNG from Qatar for a longer period: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday sought to continue procurement of LNG from Qatar for a long term period.

"Bangladesh is currently purchasing LNG from Qatar. We want it to continue for a long term period," she was quoted as saying.

The prime minister expressed the desire when newly appointed ambassador of Qatar to Bangladesh Seraya Ali Al-Qahtani paid a courtesy call on her at PM's official Ganabhaban residence here.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

In reply, the Qatar envoy hinted the existing 15-year deal on LNG procurement with Bangladesh could be extended for a longer term.

Welcoming the envoy of Qatar in Bangladesh, the PM hoped that the bilateral ties and cooperation between the two countries would further be consolidated in the days to come.

The envoy mentioned that Bangladeshi workers have been working efficiently to build stadiums in Qatar to host the upcoming Football World Cup-2022 scheduled to kick off November next.

The prime minister conveyed greetings to the Emir of Qatar and its Prime Minister.

The Qatar ambassador said the relation between Bangladesh and Qatar would be a historic one in future.