Nirj Deva, Conservative Member of European Parliament (MEP) for the South East of England, and Robert Evans, Labour MEP for London, announced the formation of the friendship group at a meeting on Wednesday at the official residence of Bangladesh Ambassador to the EU AHM Moniruzzaman, according to a message received here yesterday.

'Friends of Bangladesh' was launched by the two co-chairmen to focus on Bangladesh in the run up to the parliamentary elections scheduled for the next year and work on an ongoing basis for establishing relationship with the people and government of Bangladesh.

Introducing the group, co-chair Robert Evans, who also chairs the South Asia Delegation of the European Parliament, said the European Parliament takes keen interest in the important developments taking place in Bangladesh and will support its people in their endeavor for political stability and good governance, the message said.

"I believe the current political situation in Bangladesh is a transitional phase towards a permanent and lasting democratic process," he added.

"With her predominantly Muslim population, Bangladesh is widely respected as a moderate and secular state with an appreciable record of democratic political process, and I am confident that this country will demonstrate itself, under the current international circumstances, as an example of peaceful co-existence of Islam and democracy," said Deva.

Earlier, Ambassador AHM Moniruzzaman elaborated on the efforts of the caretaker government in creating the grounds for holding free and fair elections.