Foreign-Affairs
FM to lead Bangladesh delegation at 19th NAM Summit in Uganda
The 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) has begun with a ministerial level meeting in Kampala, Uganda with the theme of “Deepening cooperation for shared global affluence”.
Bangladesh delegation in the NAM Summit scheduled to take place on January 19-20 will be led by Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud.
He is scheduled to leave for Uganda at 1am on Thursday, said a senior official.
In the Ministerial meeting of the NAM, Bangladesh delegation is attended by Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Ambassador Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations, and Ambassador Tareque Muhammad, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Kenya.
EU eyes a "step change" in relations with Bangladesh in next 5 years: Charles Whiteley
Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley on Wednesday said they are eyeing a "step change" in their relations with Bangladesh in the next five years deepening the ties in core areas.
Dhaka, Washington agree to deepen ties to expand trade, strengthen anti-militancy efforts
"I think in the next five years we would be really seeing a step change in our relationship," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after his meeting with Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud.
The ambassador said the relationship between Bangladesh and the EU will be driven by the new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).
He said this Partnership and Cooperation Agreement is much more political in nature than the existing agreement that they have with Bangladesh.
"That mainly premised on the development cooperation. Of course development cooperation is still a part of what we do in Bangladesh. You know we had our first political dialogue a year ago and that covers international affairs as well," said the ambassador.
A Partnership and Cooperation agreement (PCA) is a legally binding agreement between the EU and third countries.
It is one of three special types of international agreements.
By means of a PCA, the EU works to support the democratic and economic development of a country.
A PCA is typically entered into for ten years, after which they are automatically extended each year provided no objections are raised.
He said it is important they have that mature discussion on the respective foreign policy not just about what is important in their immediate bilateral relations but what is happening in the wider world and how Bangladesh and the EU can influence things of shared priorities.
Of course that includes the Middle East and the Ukraine conflict, said the envoy.
Responding to a question, Whiteley said, "We have made our statement and the election happened and we made our statement on that."
Regarding his meeting with the foreign minister, Whiteley said the meeting was a very much of forward looking discussion about how now they build the bricks of a modern relationship with Bangladesh.
"That’s of course involves foreign policy issues. We will be seeing of course in due course with the other ministers, in areas where we directly engaged with the government of Bangladesh which was a very wide ranging," he observed.
"I had the very good first meeting with the foreign minister, a very wide ranging discussion. It’s very good to welcome a foreign minister who knows Europe very well," Ambassador Whiteley said.
"Of course he has very strong connection with Belgium which is the headquarters of the EU. He studied there and knows Europe well and how Europe functions," he added.
EU to start negotiations on Partnership Cooperation Agreement very soon, says Charles Whiteley
The ambassador said they widely discussed on how they can take forward the Bangladesh-EU relations and there was a lot on their agenda.
"We are going to start negotiating a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement very soon, which is very wide ranging new generation agreement, we only have one of that in South Asia, covering all different policy areas of collaboration," Whiteley said.
They also talked about the broad global situation - what is happening in the Middle East, the Ukraine conflict, the Russian aggression in Ukraine, which is of course a huge priority for the EU.
"We talked about the Rohingya crisis. So all of areas where we have the long-standing cooperation with Bangladesh; where of course collaboration will continue for many years to come," said the ambassador.
"It was a very successful first meeting and very dynamic discussion," he added.
Responding to a question Whiteley said they still have their election expert mission in town. "You know they haven’t left yet. They will be making a report that will be made public thanks to the agreement of the government of Bangladesh (for agreeing)."
It is a question of making sure that they put the relations on the right path in the years to come, Whiteley said.
"Of course we will work on the recommendations of that report which we did with our last expert mission, is supposed to be to support, engagement where it’s wanted, where this partnership needs. So that’s what relationships are all about, working together on shared concerns," said the EU envoy.
"We have many priorities you know and for us here, set our priorities for development engagement and of course renewable energy, the global gateway flagship project we discussed that with the minister," he said.
Bangladesh is one of the few countries for the Global Gateway flagship programme around the world. “This is where we will make a test case of our cooperation through helping Bangladesh reach its goal of generating energy from renewable sources and look forward to take enough for it," said the EU envoy.
Peter Haas says he looks forward to working closely with Bangladesh
On Rohingya issue, he said he never sees it as a forgotten crisis. "It’s huge shared priority."
Dhaka, Washington agree to deepen ties to expand trade, strengthen anti-militancy efforts
Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday (January 17, 2024) said Bangladesh has agreed to deepen ties with the United States through expansion of trade and strengthening efforts to combat “militancy and fanaticism.”
"We have expressed our commitment to work together," he told reporters after his separate meetings with US Ambassador Peter Haas and European Union Ambassador Charles Whiteley at his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Foreign Minister said the rise of fanaticism is a problem worldwide.
Responding to a question, he also said there has been exploration of oil offshore.
Bangladesh, China discuss promoting FTA negotiation and attracting investment
The Foreign Minister said there are oil reserves as discovered by a US company.
He said Bangladesh and the US have cooperation in the defence area and they have discussed the issue.
The Foreign Minister said he has discussed the Rohingya repatriation issue with both the ambassadors.
He said Bangladesh wants Rohingyas to return to their homeland with full rights.
EU to start negotiations on Partnership Cooperation Agreement very soon, says Charles Whiteley
Hasan Mahmud said Bangladesh is now hosting around 15 lakh Rohingyas, and the number is growing . "It's a burden for us."
Talking to reporters, US Ambassador Peter Haas said he looks forward to working closely with Bangladesh in the coming months on issues of mutual importance.
He mentioned climate change, expanding business opportunities, and other areas of cooperation to advance the relations.
"I look forward to working very closely in the coming months to advance our mutual interest," said Ambassador Haas.
Referring to the meeting with the Foreign Minister, he said it was an opportunity to talk about the future of the US-Bangladesh relationship.
Lavrov to Hasan Mahmud: Russia-Bangladesh ties based on solid foundation of friendship
Regarding his meeting with EU Ambassador Whiteley, the Foreign Minister said they discussed the Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA) so that both sides can reach a fruitful position through negotiations.
Bangladesh, China discuss promoting FTA negotiation and attracting investment
Bangladesh and China have discussed promoting Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiation, providing more financial support for bilateral trade, and attracting more Chinese enterprises to invest in Bangladesh.
Peter Haas says he looks forward to working closely with Bangladesh Both sides think it will help Bangladesh realize its export diversification strategy and benefit the Bangladeshi people.
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen met State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam (Titu) on Wednesday and discussed the issues.
EU to start negotiations on Partnership Cooperation Agreement very soon, says Charles Whiteley
The two sides spoke highly of the major achievements in trade and investment between Bangladesh and China.
They agreed to expand the scale of bilateral trade, especially the export of Bangladeshi high-quality specialty products to China.
Lavrov to Hasan Mahmud: Russia-Bangladesh ties based on solid foundation of friendship
EU to start negotiations on Partnership Cooperation Agreement very soon, says Charles Whiteley
Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh, Charles Whiteley, on Wednesday (January 17, 2024) said they are going to start negotiations on the Partnership Cooperation Agreement very soon which he sees as a new generation agreement involving wide-ranging issues.
Ferry driver missing after it capsizes with vehicles in Padma River
“We had a very fruitful and dynamic discussion,” he told reporters after his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud at his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ambassador Whiteley said they discussed ways to take the Bangladesh-EU partnership forward.
ADB President to PM Hasina: 'Under your leadership in last 15 years, Bangladesh made extraordinary progress in all areas of development'
Lavrov to Hasan Mahmud: Russia-Bangladesh ties based on solid foundation of friendship
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has congratulated his Bangladesh counterpart Dr Hasan Mahmud on his appointment to the post of Foreign Minister.
“The Russia-Bangladesh relations are based on the solid foundation of friendship laid during the period of struggle of the East Bengal people for independence,” he said in a message.
Read: Peter Haas, Charles Whiteley to meet Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud today
The Russian Foreign Minister said they look forward to the continuation of productive interaction between the foreign offices of the two countries for the benefit of further strengthening the bilateral cooperation in political, trade, economic and other practical areas.
The Russian foreign minister wished Dr Mahmud sound health and success at his responsible post.
Peter Haas says he looks forward to working closely with Bangladesh
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas on Wednesday (January 17, 2024) said he looks forward to working closely with Bangladesh in the coming months on issues of mutual importance.
He mentioned climate change, expanding business opportunities, and other areas of cooperation to advance the relations.
Read more: Blinken meets labor union leaders at Davos Summit
"I look forward to working very closely in the coming months to advance our mutual interest," he told reporters after his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He said it was an opportunity to talk about the future of the US-Bangladesh relationship.
Later, the Foreign Minister met EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley.
Read more: Lavrov to Hasan Mahmud: Russia-Bangladesh ties based on solid foundation of friendship
Blinken meets labor union leaders at Davos Summit
US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has met with global labor union leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
They discussed US President Joe Biden’s recent Global Labor directive.
The US Secretary of State underscored the importance of advancing labor rights and raising labor standards globally to support more sustainable and inclusive economies, said US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller.
They also affirmed their shared commitment to ensure workers’ voices are heard and included in global economic policy-making and to advance worker empowerment and rights around the world.
Peter Haas, Charles Whiteley to meet Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud today
Amid continuous greetings from Bangladesh's international friends and partners to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her re-election, ambassadors of the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) are set to meet Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today (January 17, 2024) at his office.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas, who was criticised in the political arena before the January 7 national election, will meet the foreign minister at 12 pm today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Later, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley will meet Minister Hasan Mahmud at 1 pm, according to the minister’s programme schedule.
Peter Haas to spend Christmas with family in India
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formed her new cabinet on January 11 with a combination of new and old faces.
Even though the United States concluded that the election was not “free or fair,” it voiced commitment to work with Bangladesh.
The US ambassador also attended the oath-taking ceremony held at Bangabhaban recently.
“Looking ahead, the United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, and to deepening our people-to-people and economic ties,” said US State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller a day after the election.
The European Union (EU) said it will continue to work with the government of Bangladesh on the priorities that characterise their longstanding relations in the political, human rights, trade and development spheres including the country’s possible future access to the GSP+ preferential trade scheme.
Labour rights critical to growth and sustainability of Bangladesh’s RMG sector: Peter Haas
"The EU strongly encourages all stakeholders to respect political pluralism, democratic values and international human rights standards and to engage in peaceful dialogue," said High Representative Josep Borrell Fontelles in a statement on behalf of the EU.
It is essential that the media, civil society and political parties can carry out their work without censorship or fear of reprisals, said the EU.
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma met the foreign minister on Monday.He was the first foreign envoy to meet the foreign minister after formation of the new Cabinet.
Ruling out any external pressure, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said Bangladesh will stick to its foreign policy principle – “friendship to all, malice towards none” – against the backdrop of a divided world.
US Ambassador Peter Haas holding meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen
“All the countries in the East and the West have expressed their willingness to work with us, with the government. At the end of the day, they are our development partners and we will work together,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Foreign Minister is scheduled to leave for Uganda on Wednesday night to attend the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).
Blair congratulates PM Hasina; pledges support to Vision 2041
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Sheikh Hasina on leading the Awami League to victory, securing a fourth consecutive term as the prime minister of Bangladesh.
“The results speak to your leadership and dedication to driving the remarkable development of Bangladesh over the past years,” he said in a congratulatory letter sent to Sheikh Hasina.
At present leading the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change said the success story of Bangladesh is multifaceted, driven by a robust export sector, the emergence of a flourishing middle class, and the dynamism of a young and educated workforce.
“The transformative journey of Bangladesh from a low-income to a lower- middle-income country stands as a testament to your commitment to the well-being of your people,” said Blair.
“As you embark on your next term, I am confident that Bangladesh will continue to thrive, achieving new milestones and setting global benchmarks for good governance,” he hoped.
Blair said he looks forward to the opportunity of supporting Sheikh Hasina and her administration on realizing Vision 2041 for the people of Bangladesh.
The former UK premier said he wishes Sheikh Hasina every success and looks forward to meeting her again.