Foreign-Affairs
Strategic partnerships within South Asia can create 'peaceful region': Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday said collaboration among neighbors in South Asia through strategic partnership for shared peace and stability can help establish a peaceful region.
"When we think of shared prosperity, we need to take our neighbors on board," he said.
Momen said Bangladesh has been following a policy of shared prosperity and stability as a vision for the friendly neighbours of South Asia.
Guided by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said, they are advocating for inclusive development in the region through promotion of a culture of peace.
The Foreign Minister was speaking at the opening session of the 11th Bangladesh-India Friendship Dialogue -2023.
Momen reiterated that Bangladesh is “emerging” with “confidence”. "No doubt India is the most important country in the region and Bangladesh can certainly claim to be one of the most important countries in the region too."
He said partnering of these two neighbors is important for bringing shared peace and prosperity in these countries as well as in the region.
"We stress strengthening our cooperation and collaboration with India in our journey," Momen said.
Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury was present at the chief guest, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. ShahriarAlam, senior Awami League leader Jahangir Kabir Nanok, MJ Akbar, former State Minister of External Affairs of government of India, among others, are attending.
Russia to take back spent fuel of Rooppur nuclear power plant: PM Hasina tells fuel handing ceremony
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said Russia has promised to take back the spent fuel of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) to their country.
“We have signed an agreement with the Russian Federation for the management of spent fuel. Russia will take these spent fuel back to their country,” she said.
The premier said this while joining virtually along with Russian President Vladimir Putin the Graduation Ceremony of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) when the uranium fuel for the plant was handed over to Bangladesh authorities.
The function was held at the plant’s site in Ishwardi, Pabna.
PM Hasina joined from her official residence Ganabhaban in Dhaka, while President Putin joined from Kremlin, Moscow. Hasina said that the design and construction of this nuclear power plant is being carried out keeping in mind that it does not get damaged during any kind of disaster.
The prime minister described the occasion as a day of great pride and joy for the people of Bangladesh.
“Rooppur nuclear power plant is getting successful today through the adoption of nuclear fuel by the relentless efforts of Awami League government,” she said.
She said that her government has enacted the “Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Act” and established an independent Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority.
"This authority has ensured safety at every level of the nuclear power plant by maintaining close liaison with the IAEA," she added.
Referring to the target of generating power from the first unit by 2024 and from the second unit by 2026 from the RNPP, Sheikh Hasina said “We’re moving towards that goal. Soon 1200 MW electricity from the first unit will be connected to the national grid.”
She said that the government has formed a company named “Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited” through a separate legislation to manage this power plant.
The premier said that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman initiated the construction of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, and prominent nuclear scientist Dr MA Wazed Miah was given the responsibility of director of the proposed Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.
The PM said that Awami Legaue after forming government in 1996 approved formulation of “Vision Statement and Policy Statement on Power Sector Reforms” with the aim of providing “Electricity for All” by 2020.
Read: First batch of uranium for RNPP reaches Rooppur amid tight security
“In 1996, we included nuclear power generation in energy policy, and we started the implementation of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Construction Project,” she stated.
Sheikh Hasina said that the then government had formulated “Bangladesh Nuclear Power Action Plan-2000” and sought cooperation of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
“We also adopted a concrete plan of action with the sincere support of the IAEA as the subject was completely new to us. Our government’s 1996-2001 term expired before making complex legislation,” the PM said.
She said coming to power again in 2009 after winning the 2008 election, Hasina said her government formulated “Power Sector Master Plan-2010” in line with “Vision-2021”.
“Again we took the initiative to implement the Rooppur project,” she said.
In this connection, she said that friendly country Russia came forward to implement it.
"Moreover, IAEA has been helping Bangladesh in many ways since the beginning," she said.For this, she expressed her sincere thanks and gratitude to the Government of the Russian Federation, IAEA, and all concerned.
Read: First batch of uranium for RNPP heads to Rooppur amid tight security
The prime minister also personally extended her thanks and gratitude to the President Putin for making it possible.
She also recalled her meeting with Putin in January 2013 in Moscow, and the contract signing ceremony for the construction of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant as well as special hospitality of the Russian president.
Referring to the inauguration of the project by her on October 2, 2013, Hasina said “So far this power plant has reached the brink of success with the latest technology with your (Vladimir Putin) full cooperation.”
The Bangladesh PM also extended her gratitude to India and its Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the neighbouring country has been cooperating with Bangladesh from the beginning of the project.
She also expressed her firm commitment to the complete elimination of nuclear weapons worldwide and to the implementation of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
Earlier First Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy of the ROSATOM and President of ASE JSC Andrei Petrov handed over the certificate to the PM at Ganabhaban.
Read more: RNPP contractor Asif Hossain secures HC bail
On the other hand, Rosatom DG Likhachev handed over a model of the fuel assembly to Minister Yeafesh Osman at the plant site.
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Mariano Grossi also spoke joining virtually from Vienna.
With Yeafesh Osman in the chair, ROSATOM Director General Alexy Likhachev also spoke.
At the outset, an audio-video documentary on the manufacturing and delivery of the first batch of nuclear fuel for RNPP was screened, while RNPP Project Director and Managing Director of NPCBL Dr Md Shawkat Akbar made a presentation on the RNPP.
Science and Technology Secretary Md Ali Hossain delivered the welcome address.
Australia’s Greens party MPs want free, fair elections in Bangladesh
Fifteen MPs from Australia’s opposition Greens party have written a letter to the Australian prime minister seeking specific steps including help to supervise and conduct free and fair elections in Bangladesh.
In the letter written to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday the MPs also called for ensuring unfettered access during the election period to independent electoral observers.
All the signatories to the letter are lawmakers from the opposition Australian Greens party.
Mehreen Farooqui, a Pakistani-origin first Muslim woman in the Australian Senate, is among the signatories, according to the letter.
Read: Hasina and Biden have discussed importance of free, fair elections in Bangladesh as well as improving relations
The group has been calling for free, fair and participatory elections in Bangladesh in recent months and demanded release of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Australia Awami League and Jubo League recently wrote to the Greens party MPs protesting their role in Bangladesh.
"We believe that it is crucial for the election to be conducted in a free, fair, peaceful, inclusive and participatory manner," the letter reads.
Read: Legal framework enough to hold free, fair elections: Law secretary to EU mission
The Greens MPs also urged the Australian PM to publicly place on notice the Bangladesh government that should any senior officials endorse, promote or participate in serious breaches of democratic electoral standards, that they will be considered by Australia for targeted Magnitsky sanctions.
Read more: US Official: Free, fair elections “must include a level playing field for all”
Financing, technology and innovation needed for just transition to greener economy: Shahriar Alam
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Wednesday described financing, technology, and innovation as significant tools for the just transition to a greener economy.
He also highlighted that the government of Bangladesh has intensified its focus on a just transition by fostering green growth, as envisioned in the landmark Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCCP).
The State Minister for Foreign Affairs stressed the fulfillment of international commitments by the developed countries on climate financing and technology transfer under various multilateral mechanisms including the Paris Agreement to achieve the goal of a just transition.
Also read: Dhaka, Delhi collective effort towards enhancing digital safety more critical now: Indian envoy
He further emphasised trade collaborations within North-South, South-South, as well as the active role of the private sector in this regard.
Dhaka, Delhi collective effort towards enhancing digital safety more critical now: Indian envoy
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Wednesday said collective effort towards enhancing digital safety has become even more critical now as both Bangladesh and India move towards greater digitalization of their economy, society and governance.
He also said the young and aspirational population in both the countries are moving increasingly towards using the digital space for all their activities.
High Commissioner Pranay Verma, along with State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak attended the closing session of the “Cyber Maitree 2023” hosted by the ICT Division in Dhaka.
Cyber-Maitree is a unique platform and interface for sector experts and professionals from India and Bangladesh to collaborate for cyber security related training and exercises.
Read: Bangladesh, India to collaborate with each other to combat cyberattacks: Palak
The Indian high commissioner noted that Cyber-Maitree 2023 is particularly relevant in the context of promoting exchange of knowledge, capacity building, cyber resilience, identifying and addressing network vulnerabilities, preparing cyber risk assessment and overall, in generating awareness about cyber security.
Both Bangladesh, US want free, fair polls: Momen
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said Bangladesh and the United States are on the same page regarding “free and fair” elections in Bangladesh.
“We made it clear that we want free and fair elections. The US also wants free and fair elections and they will play a supportive role to that end. And the US is not with those who will not take part in the elections,” he told reporters while responding to a question.
The Foreign Minister, who returned home from the US and UK, said foreigners keep coming and are having more interactions than before as Bangladesh’s image and dignity boosted.
Read: Aligning labour law with international standards ‘essential’ to consider GSP+, EU Ambassador says
He also said many countries including the USA, France, UK and other countries from Europe come here to sell their own things.
Asked about the US visa policy, Momen said Bangladesh also has a visa policy like the US and there is nothing to worry about.
He also said Bangladesh will also impose sanctions on those who will impose sanctions on Bangladesh.
Read: Hasina and Biden have discussed importance of free, fair elections in Bangladesh as well as improving relations
The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh has multifaceted relations with the US and the two countries routinely discuss issues like climate change, regulated migration, Rohingya crisis and security issues.
He said Bangladesh puts emphasis on multilateralism for a better world.
Responding to a question, the Foreign Minister said Bangladesh Awami League established democracy in the country while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina strengthened it.
Read: Dhaka-Riyadh engagement increasing across range of areas
“PM Hasina has the courage and she has the confidence,” he said, adding that if people cast their votes that will be considered as participatory elections.
Govt declared Dec 30 as ‘NRB Day’ to encourage contributions of Bangladeshi expats: Momen
The government has declared December 30 as ‘NRB Day’ to resolve issues affecting non-resident Bangladeshis and encourage their contributions to the country, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said in London.
“The main objective of the day is to enhance the engagement of more than one crore expatriate Bangladeshis around the world,” he said.
Also read: Momen urges Bangladeshi diaspora to counter misinformation and propaganda with facts
“To that end, including the Bangladesh High Commission in London, the missions have been directed to celebrate the upcoming ‘NRB Day’ in a grand manner,” said the foreign minister, adding that “expatriates are the biggest contributors to foreign currency of our country.”
“The country can benefit from increased connectivity with our expatriate professionals who are highly skilled in different fields, working in different countries of the world,” he also said.
Also read: Invest in Bangladesh, Planning minister tells NRBs
Foreign Minister Momen, who was accompanying the prime minister at the Taj Hotel in London on Tuesday afternoon, recalled the sincere efforts of the British Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BBCCI) regarding ‘NRB Day’ and said, “At the closing ceremony of the historic NRB World Convention in Sylhet in 2017, I myself announced the date to celebrate the day in a private way.”
The minister also suggested the Mayor of Sylhet, Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, to organise a three-day festival on the occasion of NRB Day on December 30 and the mayor agreed to it.
Also read: BGMEA honors non-resident Bangladeshis with NRB Award
Bangladesh High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem, Mayor of Sylhet City Corporation Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury, BBCCI President Saidur Rahman Renu, and former president Shahgir Bakht Faruk were present at the meeting, among others.
Aligning labour law with international standards ‘essential’ to consider GSP+, EU Ambassador says
Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley on Wednesday said aligning labour law with international standards will be an “essential element” for the European Parliament and the Commission in considering Bangladesh’s application for market access, the GSP+.
“Bangladesh has the option to accede to GSP+ which is the next most generous GSP programme after the Everything but Arms (EBA),” he said while speaking at a seminar in Dhaka.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi attended the seminar as the chief guest while President of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Md Sameer Sattar delivered welcome remarks.
Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Lokman Hossain Miah, among others, spoke at the seminar.
The DCCI and European Union Delegation to Bangladesh jointly hosted the seminar, titled “Unlocking Trade and Investment for European Companies in Bangladesh.”
Read: EU urged to extend transition period of GSP up to 6 years for smooth graduation of Bangladesh
The EU ambassador said the implementation of the National Action Plan on the labour sector, which Bangladesh agreed with the EU, will be key deciding factor for GSP+.
“We are closely following the ongoing amendments of the Bangladesh Labour Act. We hope that the amendments will be effective with full transparency, in consultation with tripartite stakeholders, and with technical assistance from ILO,” he said.
The envoy said Bangladesh is a rising economy with a great story of economic development and social progress.
The graduation to a lower middle-income and to a developing country status are historic milestones which bring new opportunities and which call for a reinvigoration of EU-Bangladesh ties, he said.
Hasina and Biden have discussed importance of free, fair elections in Bangladesh as well as improving relations
United States National Security Council (NSC) Coordinator for Strategic Communications, John Kirby, has said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and US President Joe Biden have discussed the importance of free and fair elections in Bangladesh.
At a media briefing on October 4 at the White House, Kirby said the two leaders also talked about the importance of improving bilateral relationship across a range of issues, including climate change.
Read: No one from outside should obstruct elections in Bangladesh: PM Hasina warns in New York
The NSC coordinator came up with the remarks when a questioner wanted to know about the current state of relationship between the US and Bangladesh, mentioning that President Biden also had a pull-aside meeting with PM Hasina in New Delhi.
Read more: All countries including Bangladesh should have free and fair elections: US State Dept
During her recent visit to Washington DC, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina held a meeting with US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan.
After attending the UN General Assembly in New York, Sheikh Hasina went to Washington DC and visited the Bangladesh Embassy there on September 27. The meeting between her and the US national security adviser was held at the embassy.
Two-day Russian film festival and photo exhibition held at Stamford University
A two-day Russian film festival and photo exhibition, titled “Russia's Contribution to the Post-War Situation at Chittagong Port”, was held at Stamford University Bangladesh.
The Russian House in Dhaka in collaboration with the Stamford University Bangladesh organized the two-day-long film festival and photo exhibition on the campus of Stamford University, head of cultural programmes of the Cultural Department at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Bangladesh, Proshanta Kumar Barman, said.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Bangladesh, Alexander Vikentyevich Mantytskiy, was present as the chief guest at the opening ceremony.
During his speech, the ambassador thanked the Russian House in Dhaka and the authority of Stamford University for arranging this festival.
He recalled the role of the Soviet Union in the Liberation War of Bangladesh and the overall reconstruction of post-war Bangladesh and said that the cultural relationship between Russia and Bangladesh is long and time-tested. People from the two countries can get to know each other through cultural exchange, he said.
He hoped that the friendship between the two countries becomes stronger. He also said that Russia will always continue to cooperate in the overall development of Bangladesh.
Director of the Russian House in Dhaka, Pavel Dvoychenkov, during his speech, briefed the audience about the whole programme and mentioned that the photo exhibition has a total of 50 rare historical photographs preserved by the Russian House in Dhaka, which are proof of the role of the Soviet Union after the Liberation War in Bangladesh.
Regarding the documentary films shown at the film festival, he said that through these films, the audience can learn about the lifestyle, culture, and contemporary scientific activities of some regions of Russia, as well as the opportunities for higher education in Russia.
Read: European Film Festival presents a true cultural collaboration between Bangladesh, EU: Dutch Ambassador
Screenings during the festival include the classic 1959 feature film "Ballad of a Soldier" directed by Grigory Chukhray; science-fiction movie "Heart of a Dog" directed by Vladimir Bortko based on the novel written by Russian author Mikhail Bulgakov; and the action movie "Pirates Of The ХХ Century" directed by Boris Durov.
He invited all to the regular seminar on higher education scholarship opportunities in Russia which is organized by the Russian House in Dhaka. The next seminar will be held on October 9, 2023, at 4 pm at the Russian House, Dhanmondi. He also invited Bangladeshi youths to register and participate in the World Youth Festival-2024, which will be held in Sochi in the beginning of March next year. More than 20,000 Russian and foreign young leaders, aged 18 to 35, will gather at this festival.
The Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Stamford University Fatinaz Feroze said that Bangladesh and Russia have bilateral friendly relations at different levels.
Read: Curtain rises on European Film Festival 2023