Dhaka: The visiting delegation of European Parliament (EP) on Wednesday met BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and discussed various issues, including Bangladesh’s next general election.

The hour-long meeting that began around 7pm was held at the BNP chief’s Gulshan office.

Arne LIETZ led the four-member EP delegation during the meeting. BNP standing committee members Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, chairperson’s adviser Reaz Rahman and party special secretary Asaduzzaman Ripon were present.  

Talking to reporters after the meeting, LIETZ said, “We’ve exchanged views on Bangladesh’s democracy, election and multi-party democracy.” 

However, there was no briefing from BNP’s side.

Preferring anonymity, a BNP leader who was present at the meeting said they discussed a wide range of issues relating to Bangladesh’s latest political, democratic and human rights situations, next election, the RMG sector and labour rights.

BNP chairperson’s media wing member Sayrul Kabir Khan said the EP delegation invited Khaleda to visit European Parliament in Brussels, and she accepted it.