New visa policy merely to support democratic electoral process

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Thursday said the newly announced visa policy was “merely their way of helping” to support the democratic electoral process in Bangladesh.

He made the remarks while talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday.

Ambassador Haas said they had discussed the new visa policy, among other issues, noting that this is something they have done in support of the Bangladeshi people, the Bangladesh government and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina herself, and everyone here in Bangladesh who support a free and fair election.

He said the meeting with Foreign Minister Momen was part of the regular series of meetings that they have. “We talked about US-Bangladesh relations, our growing relationship across a whole number of areas.”

Earlier, the US ambassador met the representatives of the major political parties and discussed the new US visa policy.

Representatives of the Awami League, Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and Jatiya Party were present.

“We support free and fair elections. The new visa policy to restrict visas to those who undermine the democratic process applies to everyone," said Ambassador Haas.

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