Polls likely within December: CA

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has said the Interim Government is committed to holding a free and fair election, and the vote would likely be held by December this year.

He made the remarks when visiting EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib called on him at the State Guest House Jamuna on Monday.

Meanwhile, Hadja Lahbib said the European Union is providing 68 million euros this year for the Rohingya response, including host communities in Bangladesh, and for the Myanmar conflict, notably for the people caught in violence in Myanmar's Western Rakhine state. 

Prof Yunus reiterated his government's support for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis, saying it is a "big issue" for Bangladesh.

"It has been going on for several years without any solution. There's no expiry date.

"We are very happy to see you visit Bangladesh. The UN secretary-general is coming. We are trying to draw international attention to the Rohingya crisis," said Prof Yunus.

The EU Commissioner said the only answer to the crisis is peace.

"We need to remain prepared for all sorts of disasters, including man-made disasters. Such disasters also include disinformation," she said.

During the hour-long meeting, they also discussed energy connectivity, including hydroelectricity import opportunities from Nepal, flood management, including in the region, climate change, and the Interim government's reform initiatives.