EC fully independent, PM tells French envoy

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said the Election Commission (EC) is an independent body and it's working fully independently. 

"From taking decisions, the EC has been working independently in every field," the prime minister made the remarks when French Ambassador Sophie Auber called on the PM at her office here this morning.

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

At the meeting, the French envoy apprised the prime minister of the Smart Card project of the EC and said the scheme is being implemented with the cooperation of the French firm Oberthur Technologies (OT).

In this connection, Sophie Auber sought the support of the premier to complete the project.

She said the French government is extending support to finish the Smart Card project at a faster pace as the scheme is politically important for Bangladesh.

In this regard, Sheikh Hasina hoped that the French company would be able to provide high quality products and complete the scheme within the stipulated time. 

The French envoy also apprised the prime minister of the progress of the work on the Bangabandhu Satellite Project which is being executed with the support of French firm Thales Alenia Space. "The project is progressing fast," she said.

At the outset of the meeting, the French ambassador handed over a letter of French Premier Edouard Philippe to Sheikh Hasina. 

In the letter, the French prime minister said: "In 2017 as we are celebrating the 45th anniversary of beginning of our diplomatic relations, I wish that we could continue strengthening our cooperation in a number of areas such as climate change and promotion of the sustainable development."

Sheikh Hasina welcomed the young leadership in the present French government and recalled the French support during Bangladesh's liberation war.

Sheikh Hasina also said she is looking forward to meeting French President Emmanuel Macron at a UNESCO event to be held in Paris late October.

PMO Senior Secretary Suraiya Begum and PM's Military Secretary Major General Mian Mohammad Joynul Abedin were present at the meeting.

Source: bss