"We need active collaboration, cooperation and partnership from all. We need support from all. We need active initiatives. We need cooperation from friendly countries, too," he told reporters on Tuesday afternoon at his ministry.
The newly-appointed Foreign Minister, who served as Ambassador and Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN in New York with concurrent accreditation to the Republic of Chile and the Republic of Peru, said they want to work as a team as there are many challenges ahead mentioning that partnership is very important.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque were, among others, present.
Highlighting development initiatives of the government, minister Momen said they would seek cooperation and partnership from all friendly countries on the basis of solid base “trust and sovereignty.”
He referred to the foreign policy goal – “friendship to all and malice to none” as defined by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman saying, “We believe in this policy.”
The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh has advanced much following Bangabandhu’s foreign policy and the government will continue to follow this keeping friendship with all countries.
For having such a foreign policy in place, he said, Bangladesh did not lose any election in the United Nations.
On Bangladesh’s growing regional cooperation, minister Momen said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has always talked about enhancing regional relations. “We’ll continue to walk on that route.”
He said Bangladesh wants to give a boost to its “economic diplomacy” as it is very important globally.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said, will play a supportive role in getting more foreign investment in the country.
Dr Momen said expectations from people, due to massive development over the last 10 years, have increased and all need to work together to fulfill those expectations.
He mentioned that the government is working to achieve higher middle-income country by 2021, achieve global goals - Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and build Bangabandhu’s Sonar Bangla – a developed, prosperous, stable and non-communal country with equal opportunity for all citizens. “No one will be left out.”
Terming Bangladesh a victorious nation, he said these challenging goals can be achieved if they work together from their respective positions with cooperation from all.
The Foreign Minister sought cooperation from all, including journalists, academicians, philanthropists and businesspeople, in government’s journey on the highway of development saying everyone wants to build Sonar Bangla. “My door will remain open always for any recommendations.”
When a journalist asked about the status of his US citizenship, the minister said he has surrendered it and explained on what ground he had to take the US citizenship.
He also recalled the support of the US government during his difficult time abroad and mentioned what the US judge told him, “You could be stateless but you can’t be homeless and jobless.”
Earlier, senior officials at MoFA welcomed the newly appointed Foreign Minister at the ministry. Its senior officials were also present.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina picked Dr Momen, a globally well-connected man, as the new Foreign Minister in her cabinet replacing former Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali amid Bangladesh’s growing importance in global arena.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam is continuing with the same portfolio for the second consecutive term.
Dr Momen, younger brother of former Finance Minister AMA Muhith, was elected MP from Sylhet 1 constituency in the December-30 national election.