United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir on Monday said Bangladesh’s foreign policy has entered a new phase, with the government now focusing on strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations and raising the country’s global visibility and influence. Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on his first working day as the State Minister, Kobir said the new responsibility is a continuation of the work he was doing as the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs. “It is not the first day of work as such. Work is about continuity,” he said, adding that the new assignment requires the government to “hit the ball… ground running.” He said a strategic framework for Bangladesh’s foreign policy has been established over the past six months and that the government would now begin rolling out engagements based on that foundation. “Over the last six months, we have established a strategic framework for our foreign policy. It has a strong, solid foundation now,” Kobir said. “From that, now we will roll out our engagements. And we will… build our relations, bilateral relations, multilateral relations from a position of strength.” He said the government would now focus on putting substantive content into Bangladesh’s bilateral relationships and hoped to take the country’s “visibility, influence… to great new heights.” Kobir said he is already familiar with senior officials at the Foreign Ministry, having worked with them over the past six months. “The assignment is new, but it is an assignment that is an extension of further work in the sphere that I have already been working in,” he said. Expressing confidence in the Ministry and its officials, he said,”Together… we can take Bangladesh, Insha’Allah, into a new horizon.” He said Bangladesh should be recognised as a country with strong soft, medium and other forms of power and influence. ‘I am Bangladeshi’ Asked about reports and social media discussions concerning his British citizenship and whether he had renounced it before assuming the state ministerial position, Kobir responded sharply. “I am Bangladeshi,” he said. “Here, Bangladesh… Bangladeshi… I don’t think there is anybody that will question my Bangladeshism and my stand.” Responding to questions about social media reports, he added, “I come with citizenship, and you talk about netizens! I mean, which netizens?” Kobir also referred to the political period involving Moeen U Ahmed and Fakhruddin Ahmed, asking whether “the heartburn of Moeen U Ahmed, and Fakhruddin” was “acting up again.” He urged media, citizens and political leaders to unite in the national interest. “All people who take a strong stance for the country, patriotic people who are here, those who stand by the country—all of us including the media, the citizens, the political leaders, we will all unite and take this country forward, Insha’Allah,” he said. He then urged reporters to focus on substantive issues related to his ministry. Asked about the Mecca Defense Pact, Kobir said Bangladesh expressed interest in it but indicated that there has been no new development. “No, no, we have expressed interest,” he said. He said Bangladesh’s growing international recognition is creating greater interest among key stakeholders in the Middle East and the wider Muslim world. “Bangladesh is now a country of recognition, and there is interest,” Kobir said. He added that key stakeholders are inviting Bangladesh’s leadership, particularly Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, to participate in discussions and enengagements. Kobir also emphasised the special significance of Mecca for Bangladeshis, saying, “Mecca always holds a special place… Mecca is in the heart of Bangladesh, in the hearts of…”

The United States has taken note of Chinese Ambassador Li Jiming's recent remarks over "Quad" saying that the US respects Bangladesh’s right to make foreign policy decisions for itself. "What we would say is that we respect Bangladesh’s sovereignty, and we respect Bangladesh’s right to make foreign policy decisions for itself," Spokesperson at the US Department of State Ned Price said in a regular briefing on Tuesday. Price said they have an incredibly strong relationship with Bangladesh and work closely with their partners there on a range of issues --from economic growth to climate change to humanitarian issues. Also read: Ambassador Li meets FS; explains his remarks "And when it comes to the Quad, we’ve said this before, but the Quad, it’s an informal, essential, multilateral mechanism that right now conveys – convenes likeminded democracies – the United States, India, Australia, and Japan – to coordinate in the Indo-Pacific, and fundamentally, to push forward our goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific region," said the Spokesperson. Chinese Ambassador Li Jiming on Wednesday met Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and explained his remarks made during the DCAB discussions. The meeting was held after a vaccine handover ceremony at state guesthouse Padma. Also read: It's very regrettable, says FM on China's Quad remarks They discussed different bilateral issues, including Covid cooperation, between the two countries, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB. They highlighted the importance of the growing relationship between the two countries. On Monday, the Ambassador attended a programme hosted by Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) and talked about a number of issues, including vaccine cooperation. Also read: Beijing wants Dhaka not to join Quad The envoy, while responding to a question, also talked about Quad, an initiative of four countries- the United States, Japan, India and Australia, that was followed by a reaction by Dhaka. Ambassador Li said obviously it will not be a good idea for Bangladesh to participate in this small club of four countries because it will "substantially damage" the bilateral relationship between the two countries. “So, we don’t like to see any form of participation by Bangladesh to this small group of countries,” said the envoy.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Tuesday said Bangladesh has undergone an “impressive development and is today a vibrant democracy” with high economic growth rates. “At the same time, Bangladesh has succeeded in clearly reducing poverty in the country using innovative development policy strategies,” he said in a message sent to President Abdul Hamid. Also read: French senator lauds Bangladesh’s progress; recalls Bangabandhu Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen read out the message at a programme held at the National Parade Ground on Tuesday, marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s Independence. The German President said the world very much values Bangladesh’s peaceful foreign policy and its generous humanitarian engagement, particularly when it comes to taking in hundreds of thousands of Rohingya who have fled their homes. Also read: India praises Hasina's statesmanship, Bangladesh’s "miraculous” progress “The global challenges of our time, particularly the current pandemic situation and climate change, can only be tackled if we work together. Our many years of friendly relations provide a very firm basis for such cooperation,” the message reads. On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Independence, he conveyed to his Bangladesh counterpart and the people of Bangladesh his sincere congratulations. “I wish you strength and every success for the tasks that lie ahead.” Also read: Bangladesh’s importance in S Asia growing: US

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday sought support from the media to achieve Bangladesh’s foreign policy goal on public diplomacy front to help the country tell its success stories abroad.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has changed the name of its "External Publicity" wing into "Public Diplomacy" wing to keep it better functional in achieving goals.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said Bangladesh wants to strengthen its capacity to resist any external attack, not to engage in war with anyone.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said Bangladesh wants to strengthen its capacity to resist any external attack, not to engage in any war with anyone.