Dhaka, May 5 -- European Union (EU) Ambassador Michael Miller has said the interim government should be given sufficient time to carry out necessary reforms, underlining that there is no "pressure" from the EU over the election date.

Speaking at a discussion organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh at the National Press Club on Monday, Miller said that the government needs "breathing space" to figure out the extent of agreement that is reached.

"There was a question about timing and I think I have to say, [it is] a matter for Bangladesh to take a decision upon," he said.

"We see this political transition as leading up to democratic elections so that the important milestone [can be reached]... the EU, we don't ...