Foreign-Affairs
US calls on all political parties in Bangladesh to respect rule of law, avoid violence
The United States has called on all political parties in Bangladesh to respect the rule of law, refrain from violence, harassment and intimidation."Genuine elections require the ability of all candidates to engage voters free from violence, harassment and intimidation," said US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price during a regular media briefing in Washington DC on January 3.When it comes to reports of violence, harassment, intimidation, unjustified detention, he said, they call on the government to investigate these reports thoroughly, transparently, impartially, and to hold the perpetrators to account.The US spokesperson said they call on the Bangladesh government to ensure that no party or candidate threatens, incites, or conducts violence against another party or candidate.On Monday, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said the government is not worried about the next national election, noting that the election will be held timely and fairly."Election will be held at the time of election. We believe in people," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Momen said the government is committed to holding a "free, fair, transparent, and inclusive" election.He said it would be good if all parties join the next election. If not, that is okay too, he said.Asked whether the government could assure the foreigners about a fair election, Momen said, “It’s not our headache; it is your headache. Why should I assure foreigners? If we work accordingly, they will understand.”He said the next election is still far and in other countries they see election-related events just two months ahead of the scheduled election. “Here we see election-centric noises one year ahead of the election. This is very sad.”Momen said there is an "independent Election Commission with transparent arrangements" to hold fair elections.
On Myanmar’s diamond jubilee of independence, Bangladesh reiterates call for Rohingya repatriation
Bangladesh has reiterated its call for the repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar in a safe and sustainable manner.
"Bangladesh hopes to be relieved from the colossal burden of sheltering displaced Myanmar residents through arranging their long pending safe, dignified, voluntary, and sustainable repatriation to their homeland," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bangladesh is now hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
Read: Myanmar's military regime must end its violence, release those unjustly detained: US
As a next-door and friendly neighbour, Bangladesh has been committed to developing an amicable relationship with Myanmar, the ministry said.
On the occasion of the diamond jubilee of the independence of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, the people of Bangladesh extended warm greetings and felicitations to the people of Myanmar and wish them inclusive peace and prosperity.
In a message marking the day, the United States said the military regime in Myanmar must end its violence, release those unjustly detained, and allow unhindered humanitarian access.
The military regime must recognize the desire of the people for a genuine and inclusive democracy in Myanmar, the US said.
On behalf of the United States of America, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken reaffirmed the country's commitment to the people of Myanmar as they mark the 75th anniversary of Myanmar’s independence on January 4.
Myanmar's military regime must end its violence, release those unjustly detained: US
The United States has said the military regime in Myanmar must end its violence, release those unjustly detained and allow unhindered humanitarian access.
The military regime must recognize the desire of the people for a genuine and inclusive democracy in Myanmar, said the US in a message marking the Independence Day of Myanmar.
Read more: Army in strife-torn Myanmar lifts curfew for New Year’s Eve
On behalf of the United States of America, US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken reaffirmed their commitment to the people of Myanmar as they mark the 75th Anniversary of Myanmar’s independence on January 4.
The United States has long supported the people of Myanmar and their ability to chart their own future.
"Today, Burma’s military regime stands in the way of democratic progress and the will of the people," he said.
Read more: UN adopts resolution on human rights of Rohingya, other minorities in Myanmar
The military’s brutal and horrific campaign of violence has nevertheless failed to overcome the strong commitment of the people of Myanmar to forge an inclusive and democratic country, Blinken said.
"We stand in solidarity with the people of Burma in their determination to bring democracy to their country," said the US Secretary of State.
UK all-party parliamentary group meets Speaker
An all-party parliamentary group (APPG) of the United Kingdom paid a courtesy call on Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury here in the city on Tuesday.
Rushanara Ali MP, the chair of the UK APPG on Bangladesh, was leading the visiting delegation during the meeting, said a Parliament release.
Read more: BNP MP Harunur Rashid submits resignation to JS Speaker
UK APPG members Jonathan Neil Reynolds MP, Mohammad Yasin and Tom Hunt MP, and British High Commissioner in Bangladesh Robert Chatterton Dickson were present.
During the meeting, different issues including the ongoing development of Bangladesh, political and economic stability in Bangladesh, economic and political empowerment of women, the progress in women's education, climate change, peaceful repatriation of the Rohingya population came up for discussion.
The Speaker said the United Kingdom recognized Bangladesh as an independent country on February 4, 1972 and then the relationship between the two countries reached a unique height in the last 50 years.
Read more: Li Jiming pays farewell call on Speaker Shirin Sharmin
Due to the tireless efforts of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the wheels of the country’s economy are still moving despite the global economic crisis caused by the outbreak of Coronavirus and the Russia-Ukraine war, she said.
Dr Shirin sought the support of the UK APPG on Bangladesh over the repatriation of displaced Rohingya people to Myanmar.
Bangladeshi-origin Rushanara Ali MP said the growing women's participation in economic development and education in Bangladesh is truly commendable.
She assured to work together with Bangladesh on climate change and other global issues.
Bangladesh hopeful of France's support for its bid for GSP+ facility beyond 2029
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has expressed his optimism that France will continue to support Bangladesh's bid for a GSP+ facility beyond 2029 under the European Union's new GSP Regulation.
Bangladesh is widely considered as a success story for the EU’s Everything-but-Arms (EBA) scheme.
The EBA scheme removes tariffs and quotas for all imports of goods (except arms and ammunition), coming into the EU from least developed countries (LDCs).
Read more: Dhaka-Tokyo relations to reach new heights; hopes Shahriar Alam
Record 5,891 Bangladeshi workers went to South Korea in 2022
A record number of 5,891 Bangladesh workers went to South Korea, a "popular, preferred" destination for them, in 2022.
The "low and medium" skilled workers from Bangladesh were taken by the East Asian country last year through its Employment Permit System (EPS) programme, according to the Embassy of South Korea in Bangladesh.
After almost one and a half years of suspension of admitting foreign EPS workers due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the South Korean government resumed taking them in December 2021.
From 2008 to 2022, 28,697 Bangladesh workers were taken by South Korea through the EPS and it is expected that around 100 to 120 workers are to be taken by South Korea every week this year.
REad: Bangladesh gets $10.49 billion inward remittances in July-December: Central Bank
The East Asian country is a popular destination for Bangladeshi expats as they can earn a minimum of $1,420 monthly, the legally guaranteed minimum wage of South Korea, the Korean mission in Bangladesh said Monday.
Dhaka-Tokyo relations to reach new heights; hopes Shahriar Alam
Highlighting Japan's cooperation in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Monday hoped that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan would reach new heights.
During the meeting with newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Minister thanked the government of Japan for providing technical and financial support for the implementation of the Metrorail project.
Ambassador Iwama sought the cooperation of the State Minister for Foreign Affairs in fulfilling his duties.
Welcoming the new Ambassador of Japan, the State Minister said that Japan is Bangladesh's single largest bilateral development partner and an important country for trade and investment.
Also Read: New Japanese envoy exchanges views on bilateral interests with foreign secretary
During the meeting, both sides cordially exchanged views on various issues of mutual interest, including Japanese development assistance, human resources development, Rohingya repatriation, cooperation in different multilateral fora etc.
The State Minister appreciated Japan’s continued support for repatriation of Rohingyas and expressed hope that Japan would continue to extend its support towards the early repatriation of the Rohingyas for the sake of peace and stability in the region.
State Minister Alam wished Ambassador Iwama successful tenure in Bangladesh and assured him of full cooperation in discharging his duties.
Amanul Haq appointed next Ambassador of Bangladesh to Turkey
The government has appointed M. Amanul Haq as the next Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Republic of Turkey.
He will be replacing Ambassador Mosud Mannan in this capacity, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
Ambassador-designate Amanul Haq is a career foreign service officer belonging to the 18th batch of Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS)-Foreign Affairs cadre.
He is currently serving as the Chief of Protocol at the Ministry, a position he has been holding since 2020.
Read: Shahidul Karim Bangladesh's new ambassador to Denmark
Joining the service in 1999, Haq has served the government in various capacities both at home and abroad.
He started his diplomatic career as Consul and Deputy Head of Mission at Bangladesh Consulate General in New York.
Later on, he joined the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Headquarters in Jeddah on secondment where, after a significant stint, he eventually rose to the position of Acting Director General of the Cabinet and Advisor to the Secretary General.
Read: Ambassador Haas aims to continue strengthening Bangladesh-US ties in 2023
On return, he assumed the position of a Director General at the Ministry.
Haq obtained his Masters in International Relations from Dhaka University and had undergone higher studies and trainings in France, the Netherlands and Norway.
Mashfee Binte Shams new Foreign Service Academy Rector
The government has appointed Mashfee Binte Shams as Rector of Foreign Service Academy, Bangladesh.
The Public Administration Ministry issued a notification on Monday regarding her two-year contractual appointment.
Mashfee will replace Ambassador Asad Alam Siam who joined the diplomatic service in 1995.
Read: Zanendra Nath Sarker made Petrobangla chairman
She joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1991 and served as Secretary (East) of the Ministry.
Mashfee also served in Bangladesh Missions abroad in various capacities including Bangladesh Ambassador to Nepal.
Not worried about next election; it'll be held on time: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday said they are not that much worried about the next national election, noting that the election will be held timely and fairly.
"Election will be held at the time of election. We believe in people," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Momen said the government is committed to holding a "free, fair, transparent and inclusive" election.
He said it would be good if all the parties join the next elections, if not, that is okay.
Asked whether the government could assure the foreigners about a fair election, Momen said, “It’s not our headache, it is your headache. Why should I assure foreigners? If we work accordingly, they will understand.”
He said the next election is still far away and in other countries they see election-related events just two months ahead of the scheduled election. “Here we see election-centric noises one year ahead of the election. This is very sad.”
Momen said there is an ‘independent Election Commission with transparent arrangements’ to hold fair elections.
To greet the first day of the New Year, the top leadership of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs virtually addressed the Heads of Bangladesh Missions abroad and senior officials on Sunday evening highlighting the government's foreign policy priorities and guidelines to be pursued in 2023.
Momen suggested the Bangladesh envoys abroad to find effective ways to learn lessons from those countries and their best practices to build a "Smart Bangladesh."
He said regional peace and stability must be ensured for sustainable development.
Momen said there is a need for ensuring peace and stability, and Bangladesh also needs to manage its resources in an efficient and effective way to achieve its goals. “We need peace and stability to make development sustainable.”
He suggested the Bangladesh envoys abroad respond to any misinformation against Bangladesh immediately with facts.
“Let us know – both good and bad things. There is nothing to be shy about. We are a team; our all missions are an extension of my ministry. As a team we should share both good and negative things. You should also take some responsibility,” he said, adding that they discussed what sort of strategies Bangladesh should take to deal with issues in the coming days.
Also Read: Hasina’s courage, sincerity, strong willingness helped implement metro rail: FM
Responding to a question on border killing, the foreign minister said they got assurance from the highest level to bring down the border killings to zero. “It is not our failure.”
Meanwhile, the government has decided to deal with "anti-government propaganda" at home and abroad in a "coordinated way" and fight against misinformation by presenting correct information.
Representatives from the relevant ministries and departments will sit regularly to find effective ways to present correct information about Bangladesh against fabrication and misinformation.
The decision was taken at a meeting held at the state guesthouse Padma on Sunday with the Foreign Minister in the chair.
Law Minister Anisul Huq, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and representatives from law enforcement agencies were present.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will coordinate the work.
"It's not a technical committee, it's a coordination committee," Momen said on Monday.
He said they had a similar coordination committee in the past and tried to reenergise that committee to have better coordination with the relevant ministries.
Momen said it is for everything, not just for fighting against propaganda. “It is a pretty wide spectrum, not specific for a single issue.”