Dhaka: The United States on Thursday underlined the importance of holding ‘free, fair and participatory election’ in Bangladesh that truly reflects the will of Bangladeshi people.

‘Bangladesh and the US are indeed friends. This friendship is based on shared values and willing to talk to each other openly and honestly,’ USAID Administrator Mark Green told a roundtable with a select group of journalists at American Club in Dhaka.

He said experience tells responsive democratic governance is an irreparable ingredient in the long-term sustainability and successful economic development.

Mark Green voiced concerns over the ‘ongoing arrest’ of opposition leaders, extrajudicial harassment and detention of journalists. ‘That concerns every true friend of Bangladesh, including US,’ he said.

He also talked about Rahingya issues and said the US will continue to work together with Bangladesh to help Rohingyas living in Bangladesh.

Earlier on Wednesday, he said the US wants to see other countries join them to step up and do more for the Rohingyas living in Bangladesh saying this is the time of need as monsoon is coming.

‘We do believe other countries should step up and do more. This is the time of need for Rohingyas,’ said USAID Administrator Green at the Foreign Ministry here after his meeting with Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque.

Green said he visited Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar to learn and see on his own eyes the situation. ‘US should be joined by others in helping Rohingyas as monsoon is coming.’

He appreciated Bangladesh and its people for showing ‘remarkable hospitality’ for the Rohingyas.

USAID Administrator said he will be visiting Myanmar and discuss the situation with the officials in Myanmar based on what he has seen in Bangladesh.

He said he will report back to the US Secretary of State after wrapping up his visit which will help them take important decisions in the future.

Meanwhile, the United States has called on the government of Myanmar to create conditions that would allow for the safe, voluntary, and dignified return of Rohingyas.

The US also urged the government of Myanmar to allow immediate and unhindered humanitarian access to reach people in need in Rakhine State.

Spokesperson at the US Department of State Heather Nauert said this at a regular briefing in Washington, DC on Tuesday.

USAID Administrator Mark Green is now visiting Bangladesh. He visited Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar on Tuesday and announced more than US$ 44 million in new humanitarian assistance to support Rohingyas in Bangladesh and other vulnerable groups affected by the conflict in Myanmar.

This now brings the total US humanitarian assistance for displaced people in and from Myanmar to more than US$ 299 million since the beginning of fiscal year 2017.

The new funding will provide emergency food and nutrition as well as shelter, safe drinking water, life-saving medical care, and other critical aid.

The USAID Administrator met representatives from UNHCR, the World Food Program, and newly arrived Rohingyas who are now among the 700,000 Rohingya as they fled violence and conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State since August 25, 2017.

Green will visit Myanmar and will meet officials there to discuss urgent steps needed to end the crisis in the Rakhine State and address violence in other parts of the country.