ID :
14557
Fri, 08/01/2008 - 15:37
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/14557
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UK minister for communities visits Bangladesh
DHAKA, Bangladesh, July 30 (BSS)- The UK's Secretary of State for communities and local government Ms Hazel Blears MP, will bevisiting Bangladesh from July 31 to August 1.
Ms Blears during her first official visit to Bangladesh will be seeking to gain a deeper understanding of issues relevant to British- Bangladesh communities in the UK, a British HighCommission press release said.
She will also see how the UK's bilateral relationship with Bangladesh can be enhanced through community links and how the UKgovernment can work with communities to help prevent extremism.
"people-to-people links-embodied by nearly half a million British Bangladeshis- are at the heart of our countries' relations," Ms Blears said. "Rightly there is no contradiction in being both British and of Bangladeshi origin. Rather, Bangladeshi cultures are being shared and fused into British life, a unique and powerful blend. She hoped that British Bangladeshi communities would make greater contributions to both countries and to their issues in common, such as development, investment,democracy and tackling terrorism.
The UK minister is expected to meet senior members of the Caretaker Government, leading members of civil society and the British-Bangladeshi community, as well as visit UK-fundedprojects on women's empowerment and access to education.
On the political situation in Bangladesh, Ms Blears said, "Sustainable democracy has to be the ultimate goal for Bangladesh.
The UK's interests in Bangladesh, and those of the Bangladeshi people, depend on establishing a stable and democratic Bangladesh. That's why it is crucial for all sides to be prepared to engage positively and constructively in the process to ensurea smooth transition to an elected government in 2008," she said.
The Secretary of State's visit to Bangladesh is the fifth by a UK minister in the last seven months, underlining the importance attached to the UK's bilateral relationship withBangladesh, the press release added.
Ms Blears during her first official visit to Bangladesh will be seeking to gain a deeper understanding of issues relevant to British- Bangladesh communities in the UK, a British HighCommission press release said.
She will also see how the UK's bilateral relationship with Bangladesh can be enhanced through community links and how the UKgovernment can work with communities to help prevent extremism.
"people-to-people links-embodied by nearly half a million British Bangladeshis- are at the heart of our countries' relations," Ms Blears said. "Rightly there is no contradiction in being both British and of Bangladeshi origin. Rather, Bangladeshi cultures are being shared and fused into British life, a unique and powerful blend. She hoped that British Bangladeshi communities would make greater contributions to both countries and to their issues in common, such as development, investment,democracy and tackling terrorism.
The UK minister is expected to meet senior members of the Caretaker Government, leading members of civil society and the British-Bangladeshi community, as well as visit UK-fundedprojects on women's empowerment and access to education.
On the political situation in Bangladesh, Ms Blears said, "Sustainable democracy has to be the ultimate goal for Bangladesh.
The UK's interests in Bangladesh, and those of the Bangladeshi people, depend on establishing a stable and democratic Bangladesh. That's why it is crucial for all sides to be prepared to engage positively and constructively in the process to ensurea smooth transition to an elected government in 2008," she said.
The Secretary of State's visit to Bangladesh is the fifth by a UK minister in the last seven months, underlining the importance attached to the UK's bilateral relationship withBangladesh, the press release added.
