22/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - Ashton pays homage to Zillur Rahman who passed away on 20 March. On 21 March, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton learnt “with great sadness” of the passing away of the president of Bangladesh, Zillur Rahman. In a press release, she said that “President Rahman was a widely respected and well-liked leader, and a key figure in the recent history of Bangladesh. He will be remembered for his courageous contribution to building an independent and democratic country”. Rahman died on 20 March in hospital in Singapore. He was 84 years old and became president in 2009. (CG/transl.fl)