foreign minister
12 Bangladeshis reach US Military base along with Afghan students: FM
Twelve Bangladesh nationals are likely to fly to Bangladesh, along with Afghan female students, on a chartered flight, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said Saturday.
The Bangladeshis reached the US Military base along with Afghan female students, he said.
Earlier, Bangladesh sought effective steps to establish lasting peace in Afghanistan, ensure the safety of Afghan people and evacuate all foreign nationals, including Bangladeshis.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dr Mohammad Javed Patwary made the call as the world's largest organisation of Muslim nations held an extraordinary session in the kingdom's Jeddah on August 22 to discuss the Afghanistan situation, with calls for it not to be turned into a "hub for terrorism."
Momen-Raab talks in London soon with focus on boosting ties
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen will have a meeting with his British counterpart Dominic Raab in London in between his visit to Switzerland and the Netherlands, and discuss ways to further strengthen the relations between the two Commonwealth countries -- Bangladesh and the United Kingdom.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh High Commissioner in London Saida Muna Tasneem informed him that there has been no meeting with the British Foreign Minister for a long time and Dominic Raab has already given an appointment to sit in a meeting in London.
“I’ll also have a separate meeting with Alok Sharma (President of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in London,” the Foreign Minister told UNB.
“Things are being finalized,” he said, mentioning that he will visit London in between his visit to Switzerland and the Netherlands.
Dr Momen will also attend programmes like a meeting with businesspeople during his busy stay in London, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB.
He will leave here on Sunday morning beginning his tri-nation visit, said the official.
The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on October 31 to November 12.
Apart from the bilateral issues, vaccine cooperation and removing Bangladesh from the red list (for entering England amid the pandemic) are likely to be discussed, said a diplomatic source.
Read: See your own face in mirror before advising Bangladesh: Dhaka to London
Bangladesh finds no justified reason to see it on the red list as the Covid-19 situation is not that much bad compared to other countries which are not on the red list, said an official.
If anyone from a red listed country enters the UK, he or she must book a quarantine hotel and coronavirus (Covid-19) tests which is quite expensive.
Vaccine sharing: Dhaka wants EU to be more generous
The European Union (EU) should be more generous in sharing Covid-19 vaccines with others who need them badly, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said Thursday.
Although the EU talks much about human rights, it cares little about it when it comes to vaccine sharing, he said.
"We expect the EU to be more generous," the minister told reporters while referring to the fact that European countries are letting thousands of Covid-19 vaccine doses expire.
Read: Bangladesh to receive 60 lakh more Pfizer vaccine doses in Aug: Minister
However, Dr Momen said Bangladesh will soon receive more vaccine doses from the US.
The country will receive 10 lakh doses of Pfizer vaccine on August 30.
Also, the foreign minister said he will leave Dhaka on August 28 to attend a series of programmes in Geneva, Switzerland, the Netherlands and hold important meetings in London during his stopover there.
Read: US regulators give full approval to Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
On the Afghanistan issue, Dr Momen said Bangladesh is keeping close tabs on the situation and the Bangladesh Embassy in Uzbekistan is in touch with Bangladeshis who are willing to return.
Talking about his recent South Sudan and South Africa visit, the minister said it was very useful and successful.
Bangladeshi investors keen to invest in South Africa: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladeshi investors are likely to consider investing in South Africa if they get similar facilities offered by other African countries.
The Foreign Minister said Bangladeshi investors have invested in some African countries.
Dr Momen, now in South Africa, held discussions with Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa Ebrahim Patel virtually on Tuesday and discussed the investment issue.
The Trade Minister strongly suggested that Bangladesh investors may visit South Africa to see the investment opportunities in South Africa.
READ: Bangladeshi peacekeepers boost country's image globally through dedication, efficiency: FM
He indicated that Bangladeshi investors can invest in South Africa in different sectors including clothing, textiles and footwear sectors.
The Foreign Minister said collaboration in many sectors like IT and agro-processed industry would provide win-win situation for both countries.
Bangladeshi peacekeepers boost country's image globally through dedication, efficiency: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladeshi peacekeepers have enhanced the country's image internationally through dedicated and efficient services in the UN peacekeeping missions.
He identified the participation of Bangladeshi peacekeepers as an opportunity to project the image of the country abroad.
Read: Nature of peacekeeping has changed: FM
The foreign minister visited Bangladesh peacekeeping contingents in South Sudan Thursday.
He visited the Bangladesh Engineering Construction Unit and Bangladesh Marine Forces Unit deployed in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Juba.
During his interaction with the peacekeepers, Dr Momen mentioned the role of the government in enhancing the participation of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in the UN missions.
The minister said the government also sent Formed police units (FPUs) to different UN missions who have earned a lot of reputation with their performance.
"Bangladesh is now the top troop-contributing country to the UN peacekeeping operations owing to the efficiency, acumen and professionalism of our peacekeepers," he said.
Read: FM greets UN chief Guterres on re-appointment
Also, Dr Momen said the government has facilitated the deployment of female peacekeepers in the UN peacekeeping operations.
A monument can be built in the Dhaka Cantonment to pay tribute to the sacrifices of Bangladeshi peacekeepers, he suggested.
During the visit to the UNMISS, he received a gun salute from a contingent of Bangladeshi peacekeepers and signed the visitors' book.
The Bangladesh contingent in the UNMISS comprises a good number of female peacekeepers along with male ones.
Later, the foreign minister interacted with the acting special representatives of the UN secretary-general of the UNMISS, the forces commander of the UNMISS, the mission chief and the deputy forces commander of the UNMISS.
During this time, the officials apprised the foreign minister about the activities of the UNMISS and highly praised the role of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in the UNMISS.
Dr Momen is now visiting South Sudan to meet Bangladeshi peacekeepers deployed in different contingents in the UNMISS and also meeting with the high political leadership of South Sudan.
The delegation of the foreign minister comprises non-resident Bangladesh ambassador to South Sudan, officials from the Armed Forces Division and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
FM mourns loss of lives due to wildfires in Algeria
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has expressed deep condolences over the death of scores of Algerian people including 25 soldiers in the incident of wildfires in the Kabyle region of Algeria.
In a message sent to Foreign Minister of Algeria Sabri Boukadoum, Dr Momen conveyed his deep sympathies to the families of the victims and prayed that they would have enough fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
READ: Bangladesh- India flight operation to resume Aug 20: FM
‘‘I pay my sincere tribute to the 25 soldiers who dedicated their lives in their efforts for saving the fire-ravaged villagers, whom I consider to be martyrs,’’ Dr Momen said.
The Foreign Minister prayed for the early recovery of the injured soldiers and the villagers.
He hoped that the affected villagers would be able to overcome the calamitous situation and rebuild their life soon.
READ: ‘Will remain alert,' says FM about Afghan-trained terrorists
Bangladesh- India flight operation to resume Aug 20: FM
Flight operation between Bangladesh and India will resume on August 20 under the air bubble arrangement.
“It will start on August 20,” said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, adding that there is so much demand, specially from Bangladeshi patients and so both countries agreed to resume the flight operations.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Vikram Kumar Doraiswami was also present at the function held at State Guesthouse Padma.
Earlier, Bangladesh and India examined the feasibility of resuming flight operation between the two countries as the COVID-19 situation is gradually improving in India.
READ: ‘Will remain alert,' says FM about Afghan-trained terrorists
Gradually the frequency of flights will be increased between the two countries.
Responding to a question, the High Commissioner said India will resume supply of Covid-19 vaccine as soon as possible meeting India’s domestic demand. “Bangladesh remains a priority partner.”
India has increased capacity to completely meet their domestic demands and meet demands outside India.
India said it has consistently prioritized regional and international cooperation including through policy measures, capacity building, and cross-border flows of medical supplies, as part of humanity’s fight against this Coronavirus.
India handed over nearly 20 tonnes of essential medical equipment to address respiratory distress in Bangladesh.
READ: Bangladesh to welcome new Afghan govt if it’s of people: FM
This includes Liquid Medical Oxygen Cylinders, cannulas, oxygen flow meters, non-breather masks, pulse oximeters and oxygen concentrators.
India also handed over 31 life support ambulances. These are the first tranche out of the 109 high end life support ambulances that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi committed to provide during the “very successful” Summit meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Stay alert about conspirators everywhere: Dr Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has urged all to remain alert about conspirators at home and abroad so that brutal incidents like August 15 can never take place in Bangladesh.
"Conspirators haven't stopped yet," he said, adding that the number of enemies might increase following Bangladesh's economic growth and significant development in other fields.
Dr Momen said all need to get prepared to face the enemies of the country and need to remain alert about negative propaganda against Bangladesh.
The Foreign Minister was addressing a webinar ahead of the National Mourning Day as the chief guest. Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University Teachers Association hosted the event on Friday night.
Dr Momen said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been able to work successfully due to realistic Foreign Policy given by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
He said Bangabandhu had always laid emphasis on establishing peace.
READ: ‘Thanks Japan’, Dr Momen says over vaccine supply
The Foreign Minister encouraged the university teachers to do research on Bangabandhu's leadership, ideology and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's prudent leadership and achievements.
The Foreign Minister said Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina is also moving forward taking the people for the development of the country and building a developed and prosperous Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister has introduced a culture of peace at the United Nations with the aim of overcoming conflicts and establishing lasting peace, he said.
Dr Momen said no one in the world will be a refugee if lasting peace is established.
He mentioned that on the occasion of the recent Golden Jubilee of Independence and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu, the governments and heads of state of different countries of the world have praised the unimaginable success of Bangladesh.
READ: Globalisation poses a challenge for linguistic diversity: Dr Momen
World leaders praised the Prime Minister for her unique human qualities as well as leadership in tackling climate change and women's empowerment, Dr Momen said.
Former Vice Chancellor of Jagannath University Prof Dr Mizanur Rahman was the key speaker while Vice Chancellor of Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University AHM Mustafizur Rahman spoke as a special guest.
READ: Turkish FM to hold talks with Dr Momen to advance ties
MoU signing on coproduction of Sinopharm jab Aug 16
Bangladesh will sign a memorandum of understanding on coproduction of Sinopharm vaccine with relevant parties on August 16.
The signing ceremony will be held at 3pm at BCPS auditorium Mohakhali in the city, said the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Zahid Maleque, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming will attend and witness the signing of the MoU.
Read: A million more Sinopharm doses land in Bangladesh
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen earlier said a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on coproduction of Sinopharm vaccine in Bangladesh is ready for signing and it should be done without any delay.
“We’ve received it (MoU) and it’s with the Health Ministry. It should be done at any moment. I think the Health Ministry should dispose of it very quickly,” he told reporters.
Read: US okays Covid booster dose for those with weak immune systems
Dr Momen said the government of Bangladesh, Sinopharm and a local company (Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd) will sign the agreement.
He said Incepta will bring in bulk and bottling, labeling and finishing of the vaccine will be done locally making the price relatively very cheap.
Momen Foundation opens help desk for poor, helpless COVID-19 patients
Momen Foundation on Tuesday opened a "help desk" at Sylhet Osmani Medical College Hospital for poor and helpless COVID-19 patients.
Medical oxygen, medicines and food will be supplied free of cost for the poor patients through the help desk set up at the hospital.
The help desk will also assist people to get registered for COVID-19 vaccination.
READ: Momen mourns loss of lives in Maharashtra landslides
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen virtually inaugurated the help desk. Selina Momen, Chairman of Momen Foundation and wife of the Foreign Minister, also spoke at the function.
Momen Foundation provided 45 oxygen cylinders and two oxygen concentrators to three hospitals in Sylhet marking the formal inauguration of the help desk.
The Foreign Minister thanked all the doctors, nurses and health workers in Sylhet and beyond for working very sincerely during COVID-19 situation.
Selina Momen said Momen Foundation has been created to work for the people's welfare and it will always stand by the poor and helpless people.
The Foundation, established last year, helped 8000 families apart from providing medical supplies for the nurses and health workers, said a media release.
READ: ‘Thanks Japan’, Dr Momen says over vaccine supply
Sylhet City Corporation Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury, central Awami League leader Shafiul Alam Chowdhury Nadel, Sylhet District AL General Secretary Advocate Nasiruddin Khan and Sylhet City AL General Secretary Prof Zakir Hossain also spoke.