The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Iran yesterday welcomed the Caretaker government's decision to release former prime minister and Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina for treatment abroad.

"It is a positive action of the government. I welcome the decision of the caretaker government which made people of this country happy," Iranian Ambassador in Dhaka Hasan Farazandeh told reporters at a briefing at his Gulshan residence yesterday afternoon.

"The action is a sign of goodwill of the caretaker government," the ambassador said, adding, "Chief Adviser's telephonic discussion was also a good sign. It is a day of happiness."

He also said "fair, good and just election" would be held in the country as per the roadmap where wish of the people would be reflected. "Those the people wish will come to power and solve the problems of the country, particularly the economic," he added.

The envoy expressed the hope that it (release) would contribute to the successful holding of the current dialogue between the government and the political parties. "It is a forward move for trust-making between the government and the political parties," he pointed out.

Farazandeh described the bilateral relations between Tehran and Dhaka as excellent and said it would continue to grow further in the years ahead. He said bilateral trade between the two countries also increased by 25 percent.

He said the two countries have signed a number of MoUs for working closely in various fields, including education, science and technology.

He referred to the recent visit of Mahbub Jamil, special assistant to the chief adviser. Attorney General Fida Kamal also paid a visit to Tehran, he said. These visits would further strengthen the relations between Tehran and Dhaka, he added.

The Iranian envoy said the relations between the two countries would get a further boost with the visit of Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury to Iran by the end of next month.

On Iran's nuclear programme, Farazandeh said the latest IAEA director general's report attests to the exclusively peaceful nature of the nuclear programme of the Islamic Republic of Iran, both in the past and at present.

"The report also shows that Iran, as a responsible and transparent member of the NPT, is fully committed to its international obligations with regard to its peaceful nuclear programme," the envoy added.