European Commission, European Union Heads of Mission in Dhaka and Australia hailed people of Bangladesh for peaceful participation in the parliamentary election.

They also congratulated Awami League and its allies for their victory.

In separate statements, they hoped that political parties in Bangladesh would work together for further strengthening the democratic process, make parliament effective, strengthen AntiCorruption Commission and other independent bodies.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner, European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, in her statement from Brussels called for a new approach from political parties to the challenges of governance in the country.

"I learned with satisfaction that the elections for the ninth

Jatiya Sangshad of Bangladesh were conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner and that Bangladeshi people went to the polls in significant umbers," she said in a statement from Brussels.

She noted, Bangladeshi people have opened the way to a legitimately elected government.

"With victory comes the responsibility of forming the next government."

However, she said, representatives of all parties having gained seats in parliament must share the task of working together to address the challenges that Bangladesh faces, of ensuring that the new parliament 'functions in a democratic, fair and effective manner that allows enough political space for the opposition to exercise its rights, and of sustaining the key reforms and institutional gains started by the caretaker Government”.

Welcoming the people, the European Union Heads of Mission in Dhaka in a statement yesterday said the

largely positive conclusions contained in the preliminary statement by the EU Election Observation Mission are testament to the effective preparations for the polls made by the caretaker government, Election Commission, police and security forces.

The EU Heads of Mission believes that the political parties will honour the election results and that all those elected to the Jatiya Sangsad will ensure that the new parliament functions in a democratic, inclusive and effective manner.

They encourage the new government and opposition to ensure good governance and rule of law in Bangladesh through strengthening key institutions such as AntiCorruption Commission and National Human Rights Commission, and through securing the full independence of the judiciary, it said.

The EU Heads of mission look forward to working constructively with both the new government and the opposi-

tion in taking forward tin longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and the EU in enhancing economic links, effective development assistance and co-operation in the international arena.

Norway, Switzerland and TYirkey fully shared the views and wishes expressed in this statement.

Welcoming return to democracy, Australia said the return to parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh following peaceful and orderly elections encourages all parties to work together to ensure a smooth transition and a strong future for the people of Bangladesh.

It said Australia and Bangladesh have longstanding and deep connections. The Australian government looks forward to working closely with the newly-elected government in areas of mutual interest. These include trade and investment, development assistance, counter-terrorism, education, migration and tourism.