The Daily Morning Voice Online Desk: Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen today said Bangladesh is maintaining good relations with both the US and China through its balanced foreign policy, though it is a “challenging” task. “That is a challenging thing. They [US, China] might have their own problems. That is their headache, not ours. We want to maintain good relations with both,” he said in reply to a question from a reporter today. The foreign minister referred to the historic quote of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, “Friendship to all, malice towards none”, which has recently been incorporated into a UN General Assembly resolution. “We believe in this policy,” Momen said.

Momen received the newly appointed Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang during the latter’s brief stopover at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport early today while US Senior Director for South Asia, National Security Council, Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher, wrapped up her four-day visit to Bangladesh. When asked whether Bangladesh and the US discussed the election issue during US official Laubacher’s visit, Momen said the next national election would be held after one year, and over the last 14 years, elections were held in a free, fair manner. “Our country is a democratic country.”

He said the overall election environment could be improved through joint efforts domestically with the participation of people and all parties. Momen said it would be unfortunate if anyone violence occurs during elections and it cannot be stopped by “recommendations from the outside. We have to do this.” The foreign minister said the government wants to ensure a free, fair and acceptable election and that is why there is an independent Election Commission.