The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh will contest UN Security Council non-permanent membership in 2015 for which Dhaka moves in advance for garnering support, Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury stated Thursday.

After a meeting with new Canadian High Commissioner Robert McDougall, he said they discussed Bangladesh and Canada's UNSC membership and how to cooperate mutually as Canada will contest membership in 2010 and Bangladesh in 2015. He noted that Bangladesh and Canada work together in internal spheres. Besides, they discussed various aspects of bilateral relations, including trade and technical cooperation between the two countries.

In reply to a question, the Canadian High Commissioner hoped for free and fair elections in Bangladesh on December 18. On Tuesday, the Canadian High Commissioner handed over translucent ballot boxes to CEC Dr Shamsul Huda.

Asked about credibility of elections under the state of emergency, the Canadian envoy plainly said, "It is your country, your democracy and your elections."