Foreign-Affairs
Russia observes ‘external attempts’ to influence election outcome in Bangladesh
Russia has said the leadership of Bangladesh should be recognised for creating favourable conditions for the free expression of voters’ will despite external attempts to influence the election outcome.
"External attempts to influence the election’s outcome were observed, as we mentioned on November 22 and December 15, 2023," Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on the parliamentary elections and appointment of a new government in Bangladesh.
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Local observers and over 200 international observers, including those from Russia, have confirmed the legitimacy of the election and its adherence to generally accepted standards, she said.
Andrey Shutov, a member of the Central Election Commission of the Russian Federation, headed the Russian delegation in Bangladesh during the election.
On January 11, a new government was formed in Bangladesh, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina being reappointed to the position she previously held.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin extended their congratulations to her on assuming office.
Russian PM congratulates Sheikh Hasina
The ruling Bangladesh Awami League secured 222 out of the 300 seats in the parliament, winning the majority of votes.
"We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the people of Bangladesh on the successful outcome of the election," said Maria Zakharova. Unfortunately, she said, some opposition parties chose not to participate in the election process.
Russian PM congratulates Sheikh Hasina
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has congratulated Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
"On behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation and me personally I congratulate you upon the appointment to the post of the Head of the newly formed Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh," said the Russian PM.
Read: Bangladesh wants ASEAN to do more to facilitate Rohingya repatriation
Bangladesh-Russia relations have been steadily developing in the spirit of friendship, mutual respect and partnership, he said.
"I am confident that active joint work at the governmental level will be conducive to broader cooperation in the trade and economic, scientific and technical, cultural and humanitarian spheres," the Russian PM said.
This meets the interests of the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of Bangladesh in full measure, reads the letter shared by the Russian Embassy in Dhaka on Saturday.
Read: Russian President Putin congratulates PM Hasina
He wished Sheikh Hasina sound health, well-being and success in her responsible activities.
Ties with Bangladesh to flourish, taking friendship to even greater heights: Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister M.U.M. All Sabry has congratulated Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and pledged to work together, taking the friendship between the two countries to even greater heights.
"I express my fervent hope that our bilateral ties will continue to flourish during your tenure, taking the friendship between our two countries to even greater heights," he said in a message to new Foreign Minister of Bangladesh.
The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister recalled with appreciation the timely support that the government of Bangladesh has extended to Sri Lanka in the recent past.
"I am pleased to extend my warmest congratulations and sincere best wishes to you on your appointment as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of Bangladesh," Ali Sabry said.
He said Dr Hasan Mahmud's appointment to the high office demonstrates the trust and confidence that the leadership of Bangladesh has placed in his ability, vast expericnce and the proven track record as a seasoned parliamentarian in guiding his country's engagement with the world.
For decades, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have been enjoying long-standing ties of close friendship and cooperation based on abiding trust, goodwill, shared interests, and strong people-to-people interactions.
"Our relations are chactcrized by mutual respect and close cooperation at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels," said the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister.
"I look forward to working closely with you in achieving this objective for the mutual benefit of our peoples," he added.
Italy-Bangladesh friendship association congratulates PM
Italy-Bangladesh Friendship and Cooperation Association has congratulated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her election victory.
"As the members of Italy-Bangladesh Friendship and Cooperation Association, we would like to congratulate you for winning your fifth term as Prime Minister of Bangladesh," a message to PM Hasina reads.
"We will continue to work for the improvement of the relationship between Italy and Bangladesh," it added.
"We wish you and your country all the best and a bright future,” the message further reads.
President of Italy-Bangladesh Friendship and Cooperation Association Marco Lacarra , Mario Morgoni, Vice President of the Association and Eng. Domenico Palmieri, director of the Association, jointly sent the congratulatory message.
Bangladesh wants ASEAN to do more to facilitate Rohingya repatriation
Bangladesh Ambassador to Myanmar Md Monwar Hossain has expressed his hope that the ASEAN Chair will continue to play a further positive role to facilitate repatriation of more than 1 million displaced Rohingyas to their homeland.
The Rohingyas fled from Rakhine state to Bangladesh in 2017 to escape a Myanmar crackdown on them.
Special Envoy of the ASEAN Chairman Alounkeo Kittikhoun met with Ambassador Monwar Hossain at the Bangladesh Embassy in Yangon on Friday and discussed the areas of cooperation.
Kittikhoun was appointed as special envoy to Myanmar as Lao PDR assumes Chairmanship of ASEAN from January 1.
This is the first visit of the special envoy to Myanmar.
The special envoy, during the meeting, briefed the Ambassador of his meetings with the SAC Chairman, Government officials and other stakeholders in Myanmar.
Alounkeo shared the ASEAN Chairman’s views on the implementation of the five-point consensus, the issues related to the repatriation of the Rohingyas to Myanmar from Bangladesh.
The ambassador and the special envoy has agreed to closely working on the issue throughout 2024.
Kittikhoun is a Laotian diplomat who served as Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office during 2016-2020 and as Lao Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York during 1993-2007.
Western nations congratulate new government; efforts will be there to improve ties with all: Hasan Mahmud
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Friday said all the ambassadors and high commissioners in Dhaka including those from the US, UK and the European Union (EU) congratulated the newly elected government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her taking office for the fourth consecutive term.
He made the remarks after laying wreaths on the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Dhanmondi 32 along with the newly formed cabinet members.
"Look, yesterday (Thursday) at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government's cabinet at Bangabhaban, the ambassadors and high Commissioners of almost all countries, including the US, UK and EU envoys were present. They all went to congratulate the current government," said the newly appointed foreign minister.
New cabinet is a smart cabinet: Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud
Newly appointed Foreign Minister Dr Mohammed Hasan Mahmud has described the new Cabinet as a "well-thought of Smart Cabinet" led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, which would take the country forward overcoming challenges.
"The Prime Minister (Sheikh Hasina) has formed a smart cabinet and she will take forward the country with this Cabinet," he told media after taking oath as a minister.
Mahmud expressed satisfaction to almighty Allah and deep gratitude to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for choosing him as a minister again.
In the past, he said, they moved forward overcoming all the challenges under the leadership of the premier.
"Still, we have challenges. We firmly believe that we will take forward the country overcoming whatever challenges we face," he said.
The PM has chosen Mahmud as the new foreign minister to oversee her government's foreign policy- friendship to all, malice towards none - in a changed scenario globally amid intensified geopolitics and big powers rivalry.
Mahmud, who served as information and broadcasting minister in the last tenure, replaced AK Abdul Momen.
He was appointed as the state minister for foreign affairs in January 2009 in Sheikh Hasina's cabinet but six months later he was moved to the position of state minister for environment and forests.
In November 2011, he was promoted to a full minister of environment and forest.
Switzerland expresses optimism for ‘robust cooperation’ with Bangladesh
Switzerland has expressed its commitment to continue robust cooperation with Bangladesh for mutual prosperity.
Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Reto Renggli attended the oath-taking ceremony of Bangladesh's new Cabinet on Thursday evening.
He expressed best wishes for their success in leading Bangladesh.
"The Embassy of Switzerland reaffirms its commitment to robust cooperation for mutual prosperity with Bangladesh," said the Embassy.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is leading the 37-member new Cabinet.
Outgoing FM Momen thanks PM Hasina for giving him chance to serve
Outgoing Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has expressed optimism that his economic diplomacy, public diplomacy and regional peace and stability packages that he introduced will help achieve the goal of Sonar Bangla.
"I am proud that PM Sheikh Hasina gave me a chance to discharge my duties and responsibilities as the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh with honesty, sincerity, and to the best of my ability," he told UNB on Thursday morning.
In spite of so many odds and challenges, Momen said that he is proud of his performance.
"I am pleased as the Bangladeshi people both at home and abroad liked my performance and standing, and I could achieve many goals," said Momen, who played a significant role during Covid-19 in arranging vacancies available.
Good news is, Momen said, "I am still alive and as long as I have friends and well wishers like you, I can do things that are good for people, for humanity, and of course, for my country."
Thanking his colleagues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Momen said, "Thank you. Life in politics and public life has always ups and downs and it says, man wishes and God disposes."
The foreign minister who led the Foreign Ministry during tough time concluded, saying: “Wish me good luck."
Ziauddin reappointed as Ambassador-at-Large
Former ambassador Mohammad Ziauddin has once again been appointed as an Ambassador-at-Large with the rank and status of a minister.
A gazette notification, signed by Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain, was issued in regard to his appointment on Thursday night.
He will enjoy all the facilities, including the salary, allotted for a minister, reads the notice.
Graduating from St Gregory's High School, he completed his Intermediate of Humanities from Notre Dame College in Dhaka; BA Honours and MA in English literature from the University of Dhaka
Ziauddin served as Bangladesh ambassador to the US and was concurrently accredited to the Republic of Argentina, Belize, the Republic of Colombia, the Dominican Republic, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
He was also the permanent representative at the International Seabed Authority located in Jamaica.
After joining the diplomatic service, Ziauddin served in the Bangladesh High Commission in London, the Bangladesh High Commission in Nairobi, and the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations in New York.
Also, he was director-general of the International Organisations Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and chief of protocol to the Government of Bangladesh before joining as the Bangladesh ambassador to Italy.
Ziauddin was Ambassador to Italy, concurrently in charge as Bangladesh ambassador to the Republic of Albania and to the Republic of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
He was also the permanent representative of Bangladesh to FAO, WFP, and IFAD.