Dhaka: President Abdul Hamid on Wednesday said all political parties would have to reach a unified decision for solving political issues regarding the next national elections.

"There is no alternative to discussion to solve political issues," he said while talking to Japanese Ambassador Shiro Sadoshima at Bangabhaban in the afternoon, reports BSS.

The President expressed his hope that the ongoing political problems would be solved soon through discussion of all parties. "I will definitely do my duty as the President in a way I served my previous post as the speaker with neutrality," he said.

The Japanese envoy acknowledged that all the elections were held impartially by and large in Bangladesh during the present government's tenure.

During the meeting, the President said the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan are historic. He recalled the Japanese cooperation in building infrastructure immediately after independence of Bangladesh in 1971."Japan always stood by Bangladesh in time of need," he added.

President Hamid urged the Japanese government to recruit skilled and semi-skilled manpower from Bangladesh who would make contribution to economies of both the countries.

The Japanese ambassador said Japanese cooperation could be made in setting up Japanese vehicle assembling industry in Bangladesh. "Presently Japanese entrepreneurs are showing interest in shifting their establishments from China to other countries," he said.

The Envoy congratulated Abdul Hamid for being the 20th President of Bangladesh on behalf of the Japanese government and people. The Japanese Ambassador assured the President that he would try his level best to further increase bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and Japan.

Secretaries Concerned of the President's office were present.

Ends/AMA/05/06/13