German Ambassador to Bangladesh Rüdiger Lotz paid a courtesy call on Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md Mahfuz Alam on Monday afternoon at the ministry in Dhaka.

During the meeting, Adviser Mahfuz Alam said that the interim government is working to hold the next national parliamentary election in the first half of February 2026, emphasising that there is no uncertainty about holding the polls on schedule.

Speaking about press freedom, the adviser reiterated that the government exerts no pressure on the media. “The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting does not interfere with the operations of any media outlet. Journalists are free to criticise the government,” he said.

Ambassador Lotz expressed Germany’s interest in further strengthening economic and trade relations with Bangladesh. The two sides also discussed expanding opportunities for Bangladeshi students to study at various universities in Germany.

Sharnila Nuzhat Kabir, Political and Press Officer at the German Embassy in Dhaka, was also present at the meeting.