Joint statement with the Bangladesh Chief Adviser

18 March 2008

The Prime Minister Gordon Brown received the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's Caretaker Government, Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, at 10 Downing Street today. Both expressed satisfaction at the thriving strategic partnership of equals between Britain and Bangladesh.

They acknowledged the important role played by the vibrant British-Bangladeshi community in forging that partnership and agreed on the need to work together to promote sustainable democracy and economic development and to combat climate change and terrorism. The meeting took place at a vital time in Bangladesh's history.

Read the statement

The Chief Adviser categorically reaffirmed his government's firm resolve to hold free, fair and credible parliamentary elections in Bangladesh by December 2008. He hoped to work closely with international partners such as Britain towards that end. Both sides were pleased to note the good progress of the project to update the list of voters. The Chief Adviser expressed appreciation for Britain's practical assistance for this project. The Prime Minister underlined the importance of a smooth transfer of power following the election of a new government. The Prime Minister and Chief Adviser agreed that credible elections that can sustain democracy in the longer term are essential for Bangladesh. The Chief Adviser informed the Prime Minister that the Caretaker Government would hold early dialogue with the political parties and remove restrictions to enable them to participate fully in successful democratic parliamentary elections.

The Prime Minister and Chief Adviser agreed that strong public institutions, justice and observance of due process and human rights were the bedrock of healthy democracy. They reflected with satisfaction on the institutional reforms of the caretaker Government to strengthen the mandate of the Anti-Corruption, Election and Public Service Commissions and to establish a Human Rights Commission. They agreed that public institutions should play a leading role in setting high standards of governance under the newly elected government and that it was vital for them to act with respect for international standards of due process and basic individual rights at all times. They noted that the separation of the judiciary and executive in Bangladesh had been a historic step forward and underlined the importance of a strong and independent judiciary for ensuring fair and transparent trials for all.

The Chief Adviser highlighted the climate change challenge uniquely faced by Bangladesh due to global warming and sea level rise. Both sides agreed to continue working together in international forums to secure an effective and responsible international response to climate change. The Prime Minister confirmed that Britain would host an international climate change conference in London in May 2008, at the request of the Government of Bangladesh, to explore how the country can best prepare and adapt to a changing global environment.

The Chief Adviser confirmed Bangladesh's support for the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) Call to Action. This was launched by the UN Secretary General and the Prime Minister in July 2007 to encourage greater collective action to attain the MDGs by 2015. Both sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation on achieving the MDGs in Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister announced British support for a new £50 million education programme - "English in Action" - with the Government of Bangladesh. It would contribute to economic growth by improving the English language skills of 25 million Bangladeshis, helping them participate more effectively in business and international trade. The two Heads of Government expressed satisfaction at the level of bilateral trade and investment between two countries. The Chief Adviser expressed his hope that British investment would continue to grow in Bangladesh and that Britain would play a leading role in the G8 and in multilateral trade negotiations to secure duty free market access for LDCs such as Bangladesh.

Both sides agreed to work closely together to combat terrorism and to enhance Bangladesh's institutional capacity to that effect. They agreed that education, women's empowerment, opportunity and prosperity in mainstream society offered the most effective defence against extremism.