EU stands beside Bangladesh in overcoming crisis: EEAS’s Stefano Sanino to FM Hasan

The European Union (EU) is standing beside Bangladesh and will help the country in overcoming the ongoing crisis, a foreign ministry statement said today (31 July) citing European External Action Service (EEAS) Secretary General Stefano Sanino.

According to the press statement, Stefano Sanino made the remarks during a meeting with Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud at EEAS office in Brussels, Belgium today (31 July). 

Mahbub Saleh, ambassador of Bangladesh in Brussels, was present at this time, added the press statement.

In the meeting, FM Hasan briefed the EEAS secretary-general about Bangladesh’s government decision to cancel the quota system in 2018 following a student movement and the recent steps, including filing a writ petition following the 5 June High Court order on the quota system.

He also spoke about the latest Supreme Court order reinstating the 2018 circular on the quota system. 

“Miscreants have created anarchy in the country by using the students’ movement for nefarious purposes, conducting various immoral activities including vandalism and arson, which in many cases even surpasses mediaeval barbarism,” Hasan told Stefano during the meeting.

“Those involved in murder, vandalism and arson will be brought to justice,” he added.

Secretary General Stefano Sannino welcomed the formation of a judicial inquiry committee to probe the casualties and attacks. 

“I hope, through a transparent investigation, the guilty will be brought to justice and Bangladesh will return to normalcy soon,” he said. 
FM Hasan told him that the government is very responsible and sincere in this matter.

Mentioning the contribution and friendship of the European Union in the development journey of Bangladesh, Hasan expressed hope of accelerating joint cooperation.