British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Sarah Cooke paid a courtesy call on Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, at his Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban office on Monday.

During the meeting, the Speaker said Bangladesh and the United Kingdom have always enjoyed friendly relations and recalled that the people of the UK extended wholehearted support to Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War.

He said Bangladesh follows the Westminster system of democracy and mentioned that former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia restored parliamentary democracy in 1991.

Hafiz Uddin said the latest parliamentary election was free, fair and participatory, reflecting the aspirations of the people.

The current government remains accountable to the people, he said.

Highlighting development efforts, the Speaker praised the Prime Minister’s initiatives to address the problems of grassroots people and marginal farmers, describing them as widely appreciated.

He also emphasised that the government is working relentlessly to expand quality and technical education, adding that the UK could play a significant role in improving the standard of tertiary education in Bangladesh.

The two sides discussed bilateral cooperation in education, foreign direct investment, and the migration crisis, including possible solutions.

They also exchanged views on parliamentary democracy, including UK support for democratic reform, women's political participation and Commonwealth parliamentary cooperation.

High Commissioner Sarah Cooke reaffirmed that the UK will continue to stand by Bangladesh in its democratic journey. Referring to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, she said the British government discourages any form of war and conflict.

She congratulated the Speaker on his election to the post. The Speaker, in turn, stressed the importance of forming a parliamentary friendship group with the UK and enhancing exchange visits between parliamentary delegations, according to a press release.