Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said he expects the political parties to reach a consensus over the “July Declaration” by early February.

“So far I have not heard any dissenting voices,” said Dr Yunus when new Charge d’ affaires of the US embassy in Bangladesh, Tracey Ann Jacobson, met him on Monday, calling the political exercise to build the consensus on the issue a “tough” one and added that the theme of the proposed proclamation is “unity.”

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The Chief Adviser spoke about the ongoing reform initiatives in Bangladesh, the government's efforts to build a political consensus on the July Declaration and the plan for the next general election.

He said the government will only play the role of a facilitator. "My job is building consensus. I am not pushing any ideas,” he added.

Dr Yunus said once the political parties agreed to the reform proposals, the government would request them to sign it to create a ‘July Charter’. “We don't know whether the contents will contain many items or a few items,” he told the US diplomat.

He went on to say, “It's a tough job given the varieties of opinion we have. But the process has started. Once signed, our politics will be based on the July Charter."

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Ambassador Jacobson reiterated the support of her country for the interim government on issues, including development and counter-terrorism.

“We are prepared as a nation to support your government on a variety of issues,” Jacobson told Dr Yunus during the meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna.

The US Chargé d’ affaires raised concerns over the arrest of some journalists and reports of some violence against religious minorities, according to the CA's press wing.

The Chief Adviser said his government is committed to ensuring justice for all in the country.

During the hour-long meeting, the Chief Adviser and the US Chargé d’ affaires also discussed Dhaka's ties with its neighbours, progress on resolving the Rohingya crisis and the security situation in Myanmar.

The Chief Adviser said Bangladesh values its relationship with all neighbours.

“That’s how the idea of SAARC came about, and we are the initiator of it,” he said, highlighting his recent moves to revive SAARC and transform it into a platform like the European Union.

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He thanked the US for providing humanitarian assistance to Rohingya refugees and sought the country's support for the repatriation of the Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh and creating a safe zone for the displaced people in Myanmar‘s Rakhine State.

The Chief Adviser mentioned that Bangladesh is a top importer of US cotton and urged the country to import more apparel and textiles, which would mean a greater import of US cotton.

Lamiya Morshed, senior secretary to SDG affairs, was also present on the occasion.