PM Sheikh Hasina reiterates government zero tolerance to terrorism

In a meeting with the newly appointed Dutch envoy to Bangladesh at her office here, the Prime Minister said the government has full control over the situation and is ready to eliminate all sorts of terrorism and militancy.

New Dutch ambassador Mrs Leoni Cuelenaere, who has recently taken charge of the Netherlands embassy in Dhaka, made a courtesy call on the Prime Minister.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, PM's press secretary Ihsanul Karim said in the meeting the Prime Minister pointed out her government's constant drive against militancy and terrorism and said it helps bring insurgency in neighbouring countries under control.

In this regard, she referred to some terrorist activities unleashed by a section of political parties in the country, saying that they rewarded the killers of the Father of the Nation giving foreign posting.

She said that they carried out the gruesome grenade attack on August 21, 2004 and in the beginning of this year the evil force under the banner of politics resorted to creating a reign of terror across the country.

"Now the situation is fully under the control of the government and we are ready to foil any design of the evil force," the prime minister added.

Welcoming the envoy on her new assignment to Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh and the Netherlands have many areas of cooperation, particularly combating climate change impact, water management, shipping, agriculture, and sea land reclamation.

Sheikh Hasina said her government is devoted to improving further the quality of life of the people where developed countries like the Netherlands can extend immense help.

The Dutch envoy congratulated the Prime Minister on her getting two prestigious UN awards recently and her leadership in achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

She expressed her happiness to have the scope to work in this nice country, saying she intends to visit different parts of Bangladesh in the coming days.

The Prime Minister laid importance on sharing the experiences between the two countries on agriculture, shipping and sea land reclamation, saying the present world is a global village and interdependent. So cooperation is needed for mutual benefit, she said.

She recalled her meeting Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) and added she is eagerly waiting for bilateral talks with him in the first week of November in The Hague.

Sheikh Hasina also welcomed the proposed visit of Dutch Queen Maxima next month as UN Secretary-General's Special Advocate of UN for Inclusive Finance for Development.

The Dutch ambassador appreciated Bangladesh's constant progress in the socioeconomic sector.

The Prime Minister expressed happiness over the ongoing joint activities under Bangladesh Delta Plan-2100 in areas like river dredging, land reclamation, construction of flood control structure, creation of green belt in coastal region, including climate-adaptation measures.

Sheikh Hasina assured the new Dutch envoy of extending all cooperation of her government in discharging her duties in Bangladesh.

PM's Principal Secretary Md. Abul Kalam Azad was present on the occasion.