Foreign-Affairs
52nd anniversary of Dhaka-Moscow diplomatic relations celebrated in Dhaka
Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Md. Tazul Islam has recalled the beginning of the Bangladesh-Russia friendly relations, specifically clearing the Chittagong Port of mines and sunken ships by the Soviet Navy in 1972-1974.
He also recalled Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s visit to the USSR in 1972.
“Our bilateral relations have become stronger and the two countries are now engaged in a broader area," the Minister noted while speaking as the chief guest at a reception Thursday evening.
Chinese Communist Party leader Sun Haiyan meets Speaker Shirin Sharmin
The Embassy of Russia hosted the reception on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of the Russian-Bangladeshi diplomatic relations.
The cultural program of the event showcased the signature examples of vocal and dance art of both countries.
The artistic team of the Youth Bangla Cultural Foundation presented widely known songs “Chumki is Walking Alone on the Road” and “Scents from my Dearest’s Garden”, as well as traditional dances on the songs “Let the Boat Sail” and “I Beat the Drums of Bangladesh”.
India to work together with Bangladesh to prevent wildlife trafficking: Environment Minister
The creative team of the Embassy and the Embassy School performed vocal-dance pieces “Slavic folk dance”, “Quadrille” and “Kalinka-Malinka”.
Timir Nandi, a renowned Bangladeshi singer who received higher music education in the USSR, sang several popular Soviet songs.
Ambassador of Russia to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy reviewed the recent milestones of Russia-Bangladesh bilateral relations.
“The strong historic legacy and mutual affection between our countries’ people serve as a solid basis for new accomplishments and shared dreams”, Ambassador said.
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The event was attended by Cabinet members, Members of Parliament, high-ranking representatives of the government agencies and the military command of Bangladesh, business community, think tanks, universities, media, members of the Soviet/Russian Alumni Assosiation, Bangladesh, as well as heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Dhaka.
The guests praised the creative teams’ performing skills.
Chinese Communist Party leader Sun Haiyan meets Speaker Shirin Sharmin
Visiting Chinese Communist Party's Vice Minister of the International Department Sun Haiyan paid a courtesy call on Speaker of Bangladesh National Parliament Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the city on Thursday.
During the meeting held at the Speaker’s office here, they discussed different issues including bilateral friendship, trade and business, Rohingya, Bangabandhu’s visit to China and parliamentary activities, said a press release.
India to work together with Bangladesh to prevent wildlife trafficking: Environment Minister
The speaker said Bangladesh has a long-standing friendly relationship with China. This relationship can be strengthened further through formation of parliamentary friendship groups and exchange of parliamentary norms between the national parliaments of both countries, she said.
India to work together with Bangladesh to prevent wildlife trafficking: Environment Minister
Dhaka, Jan 25 (UNB)- India will work together with Bangladesh to prevent wildlife trafficking, said, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Thursday.
The implementation of the protocol signed between Bangladesh and India on tiger conservation and the activities of the joint working group of the two countries on the conservation of the Sundarbans will be strengthened, he said.
A delegation of the Indian Working Group will visit Bangladesh very soon on the occasion.
The Environment Minister said these after Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Prannoy Verma called on him at the Secretariat, said a press release.
The environment minister said that both countries will work together to deal with climate change.
Implementation of Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan and National Adaptation Plan will also be done simultaneously, said the minister.
He said, the two countries will also work together in marine biodiversity conservation, eco-tourism and capacity building.
The Indian High Commissioner said that the mutual relationship between Bangladesh and India in environment, forest conservation and development is very important.
“We intend to take various steps to further strengthen this relationship.”
Process of inking cooperation deal on judiciary with Saudi Arabia begins: Law Minister
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Haq has revealed that the process of signing an agreement on mutual cooperation between the judiciaries of Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia has commenced.
Bangladesh has already sent the contents of the accord to Saudi Arabia, he said.
After meeting with Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Issa bin Youssef Al-Duhailan, the minister briefed the media at the Secretariat on Thursday.
The meeting also discussed its progress, which was fruitful, he added.
"The Saudi envoy told us that the Muslim world thinks Sheikh Hasina is their sister and they are interested to further strengthen this relationship," Huq said.
Dhaka receives assurances of continued French-German support on dev journey
France and Germany have agreed to individually widen their bilateral relations with Bangladesh and assured of standing beside the country on its development journey.
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud said this after holding separate meetings with German Ambassador Achim Tröster and French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy at his office in Segunbagicha on Thursday (January 25, 2024).
Read: ‘Lobbyist-backed’ statement on Dr Yunus won’t impact FDI, Hasan Mahmud says
The two most important European ambassadors discussed issues related to trade and investment, climate change, security cooperation and cooperation in the aviation and education sector.
Responding to a question on Bangabandhu Satellite-2, the foreign minister said this is definitely a priority for the government of Bangladesh and hoped that the discussions with France in this regard will see further progress.
On purchasing aircraft from the European aviation giants Airbus, the foreign minister said Bangladesh will buy when the country's economy permits.
Asked if the decision to buy the planes was final, Hasan Mahmud said such 'final decisions' on purchase are not taken at the Foreign Ministry.
The two ambassadors also handed over congratulatory letters from their respective heads of government.
Read: BD, UK vow to deepen ties at FM Hasan’s meet with HC Cooke
Both these countries are major development and trade partners of Bangladesh and the ambassadors discussed widening the relations in the coming days, Hasan Mahmud said.
Talking to reporters, French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy said France wants to start a new exchange programme for young teachers and students with Bangladesh.
First official visit post-election: PM to attend Munich Security Conference, says Foreign Minister
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has decided to attend this year’s Munich Security Conference, the most high-profile annual dialogue on security issues, to be held in Germany next month.
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud confirmed PM Hasina’s participation in the global conference while talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
He said his ministry is working on the bilateral meetings to be held on the sidelines of the conference.
Read: UNDP administrator congratulates PM Hasina
The Prime Minister last attended the Security Conference in 2019.
Though the Prime Minister has received invitations from various countries and international organisations, her first official visit post-election may begin with Germany, a diplomatic source told UNB.
Apart from bilateral engagement with the German leaders, she will have meetings with global leaders on the sidelines.
The Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2024 will take place from February 16 to 18, 2024, at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich.
The MSC 2024 will once again offer a unique opportunity for high-level debates on the world’s most pressing security challenges, said the organisers.
Additionally, the MSC, founded in the fall of 1963, will celebrate its 60th anniversary up to and during the next main conference.
Read: Dhaka, London ties evolving from development-focused to modern partnership: Cameron
The Munich Security Report is published annually before the Security Conference.
The report contains exclusive data and graphics on current security policy issues, compiled in cooperation with renowned partner institutions of the MSC.
The Munich Security Report serves as a basis for discussion at the conference in Munich.
‘Lobbyist-backed’ statement on Dr Yunus won’t impact FDI, Hasan Mahmud says
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Thursday (January 25, 2024) said any statement “backed by lobbyists” on Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus would have no adverse impact on foreign investment inflow into the country.
“Look, there are several lobbyist firms engaged behind some people who are talking on the Dr Yunus issue. Investment will not be impacted if a statement is backed by lobbyists,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Foreign Minister said Dr Yunus has been in the discussion over the last 12 years and Bangladesh still received significant foreign investment.
Read: China is an important dev and strategic partner of Bangladesh: PM Hasina
“Foreign investment is increasing. There is no relation with that. This is simply a legal matter,” said the Awami League joint general secretary.
He reiterated that Dr Yunus has been sentenced in a case filed by the aggrieved people, and the government is not a party to it.
“With due respect to Dr Yunus, I would like to say that aggrieved people filed the case. The government is not a party to it. It is a decision taken by the court. The government cannot interfere in it,” he said.
Earlier, a Dhaka court sentenced Dr Yunus and three top officials of Grameen Telecom to six months’ jail, with fine of Tk 25000 each, in a case over violation of labor law.
Read: Russian Ambassador hopes Dhaka-Moscow relations will continue to thrive
The others accused in the case are: Ashraful Hasan, CEO of Grameen Telecom Trust; trustee Nurjahan Begum; and managing director M Shahjahan.
They were accused of not making some workers and employees of Grameen Telecom permanent, not encashing public leave, and not depositing certain dividends to the Workers Welfare Foundation.
In the 84-page verdict, the judge said the charges of violating labor laws were proved against them.
The court, however, granted them conditional bail.
Dr Yunus claimed that he had been punished for a crime he did not commit. “I have been punished for a crime that I haven’t committed,” Yunus told reporters after he was convicted in a case over violation of labor law. “If you want to call it justice, you can.”
Read more: Dr Yunus appointed chair of Moscow Financial University’s international advisory board
Russian Ambassador hopes Dhaka-Moscow relations will continue to thrive
Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Mantytskiy has expressed optimism that with the newly elected government the ties between Dhaka and Moscow will continue to thrive, bringing peace and prosperity to the peoples.
The Ambassador made the remarks in a message on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Russia.
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Despite the current turbulence in international affairs, he said, fruitful cooperation between Moscow and Dhaka has been developing across many sectors.
In 2023, Russia-Bangladesh relations saw a number of milestones, such as the first ever visit of the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to Bangladesh in September; the nuclear fuel delivery ceremony at the Rooppur NPP in October, with virtual presence of President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina; a goodwill visit of the Russian Pacific Fleet to the port of Chattogram in November.
BGMEA president meets Russian ambassador
"Russia makes a significant contribution to Bangladesh’s food security, being one of the key suppliers of various agro-industrial products, primarily wheat and fertilizers," said the Russian Ambassador.
In 2023, Russia's grain export to Bangladesh amounted to 2.7 million tons, said Ambassador Mantytskiy.
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"Meaningful interaction between our countries predates the formal establishment of diplomatic ties in January 1972 as the USSR largely supported the Bengali people in the international arena during the ongoing War for Independence in 1971," he said.
Since then, the envoy said, over the span of more than 50 years, the bilateral history has seen many remarkable events and significant achievements, as well as glorious memories.
"The strong historic legacy and mutual affection between Russian and Bangladeshi people serve as a solid basis for new accomplishments and shared dreams," said the Russian Ambassador.
India to stand beside people of Bangladesh in realising their vision of a stable, progressive, prosperous Bangladesh: Pranay Verma
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Wednesday said that the friendship between the two countries will continue to grow as the shared sacrifices of 1971 Liberation War remain a constant inspiration driving the relationship forward.
"Bangladesh has a great development story to tell the world," he said while speaking at a function marking the 75th Republic Day of India in Dhaka.
Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury spoke as the chief guest at the event joined by Cabinet members, political leaders, civil society members, business leaders, cultural personalities and senior journalists.
The High Commissioner said that as they celebrate the 75th Republic Day of India it is time for them to cherish their close friendship with Bangladesh and reaffirm their commitment that India will stand beside the people of Bangladesh in realising their vision of a stable, progressive and prosperous Bangladesh.
The envoy said these 75 years have been an extraordinary journey for India.
"In this journey, Bangladesh has been a close partner for us," he said.
A cultural function was also held where prominent singers performed.
UNDP administrator congratulates PM Hasina
The United Nations Development Programme’s Administrator Achim Steiner congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her re-election as Prime Minister.
"We admire Bangladesh's impressive development journey and your commitment to steering the nation towards a more prosperous future," he said in a congratulatory message to the premier.
He said that he is equally pleased to acknowledge Bangladesh's new role as chair of the UNDP's Executive Board.
"This significant responsibility is not only a recognition of your country's development achievements but also presents an invaluable opportunity for Bangladesh to shape the global sustainable development agenda," he said.
Leveraging its global networks and expertise, he said the UNDP reaffirms its commitment to support your government in achieving Bangladesh's aspirations for inclusive, sustainable and resilient development, including smooth graduation from the Least Developed Country status by 2026 and achievement of the vision for a Smart Bangladesh by 2041.