FM Momen
Momen hopeful of early signing of Teesta; India looks forward to Hasina’s visit
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Thursday hoped that all outstanding issues with India including the signing of the Teesta water sharing treaty will be concluded at an early date.
He recalled that the two countries had resolved many of the outstanding issues in the spirit of friendship and cooperation.
Momen and his visiting Indian counterpart S Jaishankar “comprehensively” discussed the bilateral issues at a meeting held at Foreign Service Academy here.
He also sought the support of India for the speedy repatriation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals – Rohingyas - to their country of origin, according to a media release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here.
Momen reiterated that India is the most important neighbour for Bangladesh, noting that over the last few years, both the countries have achieved remarkable progress in a number of areas.
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Both the foreign ministers expressed satisfaction with the ongoing cooperation between the countries and discussed the possible dates of the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India to further cementing the ties.
Jaishankar said he conveyed to PM Hasina the personal greetings and good wishes of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He conveyed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s invitation to her to visit India at her convenience later this year; also exchanged views on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest with the Prime Minister. “We look forward to her visit to India at a time of her convenience”
Both the foreign ministers noted that 2021 was a landmark year for the Bangladesh-India relationship as the President and Prime Minister of India visited Bangladesh in a single year.
Both the counties celebrated the 50 years of diplomatic ties through the joint celebration of a number of landmark events across the world.
They underscored the necessity of holding of the next round of Joint Consultation Commission (JCC) meeting at the earliest convenience of both sides.
Both sides stressed on following up the decisions taken at the highest level for their effective implementation for mutual benefit.
Momen expressed satisfaction over rise of trade volume between the two countries and announcement of 200 scholarships by the Government of Bangladesh for the family members of war veterans of India who fought for Bangladesh in 1971.
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Jaishankar stressed that Bangladesh features as the most important country in the Indian Foreign Policy objectives of 'Neighbour First ’.
He stated that Bangladesh and India have been maintaining excellent relationship even during the pandemic when the whole world was at a standstill.
Jaishankar appreciated Bangladesh for the transformative socio-economic development under the dynamic leadership of Hasina.
He emphasized on promoting trade, commerce and connectivity especially in the light of supply chain disruption resulting from covid-19 restrictions and recent conflict in Ukraine.
The Indian minister assured of India's cooperation in resolving some of the concerns of Bangladesh including the early repatriation of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals to their country of origin.
He also stressed on early and timely completion of some of the projects funded by India and on the need of sub-regional cooperation in all matters, particularly in the energy sector.
Jaishankar arrived here on Thursday afternoon leading a high level delegation including Foreign Secretary-designate Vinay Mohan Kwatra.
On Friday morning, he would depart Dhaka for Paro, Bhutan.
Dhaka calls for more IOM role in helping climate migrants
Foreign Minister AK. Abdul Momen has called upon the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to engage in further advocacy on the climate-migration nexus.
He made this suggestion when the newly appointed IOM Chief of Mission in Bangladesh Abdusattor Esoev met him to present his credentials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.
The foreign minister underscored that the international community should find appropriate ways to address both internal and international movements of people due to climate change, according to MoFA.
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Momen welcomed the IOM country chief and assured him of necessary cooperation in discharging his responsibilities.
He acknowledged IOM’s engagement with the Rohingya humanitarian response and stressed the importance of continued international support amid emergency situations in other parts of the world.
FM questions quality of US HR report on Bangladesh
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has questioned the quality of the US human rights report on Bangladesh, noting that Bangladeshi officials at the US Embassy in Dhaka prepare the initial draft collecting information from media reports and some NGOs.
He said NGOs always see negative things everywhere and there is another group of people who only seek asylum abroad and give a negative picture of the country to avail of advantage.
The Foreign Minister made the remarks while responding to questions from reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
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The government of Bangladesh is of the view that the tendency to impose values of other countries, like LGBT rights, same sex marriage etc., in the name of human rights violations are “regrettable and uncalled for.”
“Some opinions came….they want to hit on our religion in the name of human rights and we rejected it,” said the Foreign Minister referring to the State Department’s recent “2021 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices”.
He said opinions are not human rights and Bangladesh’s human rights priorities are right to food, right to education, right to shelter, right accommodation and healthcare. “These are human rights.”
The Foreign Minister said they had a very good discussion in Washington and both sides want improved relations in the coming years.
He said the US side appreciated Bangladesh’s progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
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The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh has a “very solid and independent” election commission and its democracy is very transparent. “Every person in Bangladesh believes in democracy. It’s (election) a festival in Bangladesh. We want all parties in elections.”
“They have given much respect to my whole delegation,” Momen said, referring to his meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The Foreign Minister had also visited Japan, Palau and Singapore after wrapping up his US visit. “My whole trip was very positive.”
Dhaka calls for protecting oceans to save planet earth
In order to achieve SDG 14, Bangladesh has announced five new commitments to the "7th Our Ocean Conference" in Palau.
"We must protect, preserve and promote our oceans and ecosystems to save planet earth," said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told the conference co-hosted by Palau and the United States on April 13-14. Mentioning the five new commitments, Momen said Bangladesh announced the National Plan of Action to eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in compliance with the internationally agreed market-related measures.
The foreign minister referred to establishment of a new Marine Protected Area in Saint Martin’s Island reaching a total of 8.8% of its Exclusive Economic Zone.
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He said steps aimed at ensuring safe ship recycling by 2023 have alao been taken.
He also mentioned the Solid Waste Management Rules 2021 as part of the commitments.
Bangladesh is committed to harnessing marine resources sustainably under Blue Economy for inclusive development, Momen said.
Dhaka, Washington economic ties to grow further: Momen
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has expressed hope that the Bangladesh-US economic partnership will be an effective platform to facilitate economic cooperation and people-to-people ties between the two nations.
To further consolidate the economic partnership, the foreign minister said, the two countries established the ‘Economic Partnership Consultation Mechanism’ which held its first meeting virtually in September 2020 and the second one is scheduled to be held on June 2, 2022.
“We heartily believe that our bilateral relations with the US will flourish in the coming days and will certainly contribute to the socio-economic development of the nation,” Momen said, adding that he is confident that these ties would continue to grow in the next 50 years.
Also, recently, the US-Bangladesh Business Council was launched last year to further strengthen bilateral trade and investment ties.
Read: Momen briefs Blinken about “transparent” election process
The foreign minister made the remarks at a reception in Washington on Monday marking the 50 years of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and the US.
Deputy Administrator, USAID Isobel Coleman, Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA M Shahidul Islam, representatives from the US Government, private sector and civil society joined.
The foreign minister said their government level engagements have been complimented by a growing people-to-people connectivity as well as increasing interaction between various organizations.
The sizable number of Bangladesh Diaspora scattered all across the USA act as an essential bridge between the two nations, he said.
The foundation of this warm bilateral relationship was laid down by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman when he visited the country in October 1974 and met the US President, Momen recalled.
Since then, he said, they have converged in an expanding collaboration in the pursuit of common foreign policy objectives, both bilaterally and globally.
Momen thanked the government of the USA for the persistent commitment and continued efforts towards a durable solution of the Rohingya crisis.
Read: Bangladesh-US economic partnership mechanism to expedite cooperation: Momen
“The USA is the leading single contributor of humanitarian assistance in response to the Rohingya crisis. However, we think the US can do a lot more for a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis,” he said.
Over the decades, this relationship has expanded in depth and dimensions, Momen said, adding that the USA is now one of the largest sources of foreign direct investment into Bangladesh.
“However, we would like to see that US investment in Bangladesh diversifies incorporating other sectors like ICT, agro-processing, renewable energy etc,” he said.
Dhaka to seek Washington’s wider, diversified cooperation
Bangladesh will seek wider and diversified cooperation from the United States and demand again the withdrawal of sanctions imposed on its elite force Rab as the minister-level bilateral meeting is set to take place in Washington on April 4.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen left Dhaka for the USA on Saturday night to hold a bilateral meeting with his US counterpart Antony J. Blinken at the US Department of State on the very day of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
“We’ll raise it (reconsidering sanctions),” said Dr Momen ahead of his visit, reiterating that they (Rab members) are very efficient and effective; and by and large they are free from corruption and there should be a positive response from the US side.
Terming Bangladesh a peaceful and peace-loving country, the Foreign Minister said Bangladesh is less interested in defence procurement from the US but wants to engage in those areas which ensure people’s welfare.
During US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland’s recent visit, the US side shared a “draft” on the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) which is seen as a "gateway" to do more on the security front.
"We’re very confident that we’ll be able to get the issue settled so that we can do more on the security side together," she told reporters during a joint media briefing in Dhaka.
Nuland indicated the two countries would be involved in series of engagements this year and described the partnership dialogue as the appetizer on a very big feast that they are going to have this year.
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The United States is pushing to conclude certain foundational defense agreements - GSOMIA and Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement (ACSA), which are "essential" to enabling a closer defense relationship, expanding opportunities for defense trade, information sharing, and military-to-military cooperation between our two countries.
“We’ve neither dropped (those proposals) nor accepted. We’re still examining,” Moemn said, adding that Bangladesh is a very peaceful and peace-loving country with very friendly relations with all neighbors and does not want to create any armory as Bangladesh, what he says, does not need it.
The Foreign Minister reiterated that Bangabandhu’s daughter and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina never surrenders to any pressure and she does things which ensure people’s welfare.
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Momen said they understand it (arms sales) is a big business for the USA but suggested that the two countries can explore other areas except this.
He said there are many new areas of cooperation – technology transfer, pharmaceuticals, blue economy, food security and climate change – where the US side can come forward. “We’re willing to diversify our trade and investment.”
Bangladesh will invite US investments in special economic zones and hi-tech parks in the country.
Responding to a question, the Foreign Minister said Bangladesh will also raise the issue of sheltering Rashed Chowdhury, a convicted killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and will demand of his handing him over to Bangladesh.
Among other issues, the Foreign Minister said Rohingya issue will also come up.
Issues related to the Indo-Pacific Strategy are also likely to be discussed during Foreign Minister Momen’s visit.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas said the Indo-Pacific Strategy is a positive, shared vision for creating a region where all nations - Bangladesh, China, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the United States, and each and every other county in the region - can thrive.
He said economic relations between the two countries are expanding quickly including through an upcoming visit from a high-level delegation made up of US businesses coming here to investigate opportunities in Bangladesh.
Ambassador Haas said the United States is the largest source of foreign direct investment in Bangladesh.
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“As Ambassador, I commit to work with Bangladesh to build an attractive investment environment and support U.S. investors to enter new sectors for the benefit of all our people,” he said.
At President Biden’s direction, Ambassador Haas said, they are developing a comprehensive Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which will include shared objectives in key areas: climate and clean energy, fair trade facilitation, resilient supply chains, and the digital economy.
“I look forward to working on these issues with the people and the government of Bangladesh in the coming months,” he said.
Bangladeshi journalist, engineer to return home from Libya soon: FM
Bangladeshi journalist Zahidur Rahman and engineer Saiful Islam, who went missing, are now under the custody of Bangladesh Ambassador to Libya and are expected to return home by next couple of days.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday confirmed that they have been taken under the Ambassador's custody.
Zahidur Rahman is a special correspondent of private TV channel NTV.
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The journalist was detained on charge taking photos and videos without prior permission there.
The Libyan government has allowed the duo to return home following negotiation by the Ambassador.
Dr Momen also mentioned the friendly relations between the two countries that helped them get released.
Dhaka, Kathmandu eye broader cooperation in key areas
Bangladesh and Nepal have underlined the necessity of intensifying the bilateral relations including exchange of high level visits as the two countries are celebrating 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen had a bilateral meeting with his Nepalese counterpart Dr. Narayan Khadka on the sidelines of the 18th BIMSTEC ministerial meeting in Sri Lanka's capital on Tuesday and discussed the areas of cooperation.
The two foreign ministers committed to work together for common modalities to adapt to the graduation from LDC, Secretary (East) Mashfee Binte Shams told UNB after the meeting.
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Cooperation in the power and energy sector, enhancement of trade and investment, connectivity, people to people contacts and cooperation in the area of climate change were also discussed with due importance.
Momen appreciated the unwavering support received from the people and political leadership of Nepal during the Liberation War of Bangladesh.
The Nepalese foreign minister appreciated the Bangladesh government for hosting a large number of Nepalese students for various undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Foreign minister Momen sought Nepal's support for early repatriation of forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals to their home country.
Read: Dhaka calls for joint efforts to build smarter BIMSTEC
Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar district and Bhasan Char.
The two foreign ministers pledged to cooperate with each other in various regional and multilateral forums.
The foreign minister is currently in Colombo to attend the BIMSTEC Summit scheduled for Wednesday in which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be joining virtually from Dhaka.
Minister Momen led the Bangladesh delegation at the 18th BIMSTEC ministerial meeting held on Tuesday.
BIMSTEC: FM Momen in Colombo to attend 18th ministerial meeting Tuesday
The eighteenth ministerial meeting of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) opens in the Sri Lankan capital on Tuesday as the members explore ways to strengthen the forum on all fronts.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen arrived here on Monday afternoon to lead the Bangladesh delegation at the ministerial meeting ahead of the 5th BIMSTEC Summit to be held on March 30.
Sri Lanka is hosting the Summit in hybrid mode with the theme “BIMSTEC-Towards a Resilient Region, Prosperous Economies and Healthy Peoples.”
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will formally inaugurate the Summit in which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will join virtually from Dhaka.
BIMSTEC consists of seven member states – Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen led the Bangladesh delegation at the 22nd BIMSTEC Senior Officials' Meeting' held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo on Monday.
Secretary (East) Mashfee Binte Shams, Additional Secretary (SAARC & BIMSTEC) Md. Shamsul Haque and Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Tareq Md Ariful Islam, among others, joined the meeting.
FM pays homage to Bangabandhu, Liberation War martyrs
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Liberation War martyrs on Bangladesh's Independence and National Day.
The Foreign Minister hoisted the national flag at the Foreign Service Academy and also placed a wreath at the temporary altar in memory of Bangabandhu.
Read: Bangladesh celebrates Independence Day
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and other high-ranking officials of the ministry also attended the event.
After placing wreaths, they stood in solemn silence for a while as a mark of profound respect to Bangabandhu and the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War.