foreign-affairs
IORA ministers meet PM
The visiting ministers of the member states of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban on Friday.
The foreign ministers, state ministers, and deputy ministers from IORA member states including India, the Maldives, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, UAE, Comoros, and Yemen attended the group call.
The PM thanked them for attending the 22nd IORA Council of Ministers Meeting and also expressed her appreciation for their support extended to Bangladesh during its Chairship of IORA, said a press release of PMO press wing.
She informed the delegates about her government’s Vision 2041, which has been formulated for transforming the country into a self-reliant, prosperous, equity-based, and developed country by 2041.
All the visiting ministers lauded the PM Hasina for her able leadership in transforming Bangladesh as an economic role model and achieving commendable socio-economic progress.
Hasina highlighted that there should be a regular exchange of VVIP visits and visits between business delegations and Chamber officials. There should also be more B2B and people-to-people contacts to develop trade and economic relations, she said.
“All the delegates agreed that intra-regional investment flows are modest and that there is ample scope for expanding the bilateral trade and investment relations. The delegates also agreed that a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) among the IORA member states would be highly beneficial in this regard.
Hasina also conveyed her heartfelt gratitude and well wishes to the Heads of State and Heads of Governments of the Member States and Dialogue Partners of IORA.
Bangladesh hosted the 22nd IORA Council of Ministers Meeting on 24 November 2022, which was attended by the representatives of 23 member states and 10 dialogue partners.
Sri Lankan minister meets PM
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban on Friday.
In the meeting, the visiting minister stressed the shipping and air connectivity between the two countries to boost trade relations and enhance people-to-people contacts, said a press release of PMO press wing.
The prime minister thanked him for attending the 22nd Ministerial Meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) held in Dhaka.
Hasina wished good luck and speedy economic recovery of Sri Lanka.
Read more: PM rules out Sri Lanka-like crisis in Bangladesh
While discussing regional and multilateral cooperation, Hasina pointed out that the prolonged presence of more than one million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar poses a serious threat to the overall socio-economy, environment, and security architecture in Bangladesh and the entire region.
She sought Sri Lanka’s support for the sustainable, safe, and voluntary repatriation of these forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, Rohingyas, to their ancestral land in Rakhine State, Myanmar.
The PM also discussed the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the regional economy.
The Sri Lankan foreign minister expressed his admiration for the charismatic leadership of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and commended recent socio-economic development and stability achieved by Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He underscored that Sri Lankans are interested in investing in Bangladesh and invited investment from Bangladesh.
Ali Sabry conveyed an invitation on behalf of his government to the prime minister to visit Colombo at a mutually convenient time.
Read more: Comparing Bangladesh with Sri Lanka is unfortunate: Principal Secretary
The meeting ended in a positive tone with a pledge to continue the friendly cooperation between the two countries in the days ahead.
China to work with IORA for global development: Envoy
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has said China is ready to join hands with the international community, including member states of the IORA, to contribute to global development, shoulder the responsibilities for unity and progress, and create a better future for the world. He stressed that in face of various risks and challenges, President Xi Jinping has put forward the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, offering Chinese solutions and Chinese wisdom to world peace and development.
Read more: IORA ministers meet Thursday, Momen for making the best use of sea
Ambassador Li attended the 22nd Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Council of Ministers meeting held in Dhaka on Thursday.
This meeting, under the theme of "Harnessing the Opportunities of the Indian Ocean Sustainably for Inclusive Development", discussed the cooperation in COVID-19 response and economic recovery, trade and investment, the blue economy, climate change, disaster mitigation and pollution prevention and marine security, and reached broad consensus on further deepening cooperation within the IORA and building a prosperous and stable Indian Ocean.
The IORA's Chair Bangladesh, 23 member states, including the United Arab Emirates, India, Australia, South Africa, and France, as well as ten dialogue partners such as China, the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea attended the meeting.
Ambassador Li participated in and addressed the meeting on behalf of China.
He said that as an important economic cooperation organization in the region, the IORA has been committed to strengthening capacity building and promoting solidarity and cooperation among member states and contributing to the lasting stability and sustainable development of the region.
Read more: Even after over 2 decades, IORA market not fully explored by member states: Momen
As a dialogue partner country, China has always attached importance to the status and role of the IORA, actively participated in various IORA activities and continuously deepened the practical cooperation with the IORA and its member states, he said.
UAE keen to expand air connectivity with Bangladesh
Visiting State Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday.
During the meeting held at Ganabhaban, the state minister requested more cooperation from Bangladesh to expand the air connection between Bangladesh and the UAE, said a press release of PMO press wing.
He also said the UAE is interested in strengthening cooperation with Bangladesh for the alliance of mangrove initiative, aforestation, renewable energy, floating based solar energy, food processing, agriculture, and investment.
Ahmed thanked Sheikh Hasina for her government’s warm hospitality extended to his delegation during the IORA Ministerial meeting held in Dhaka on 23-24 November 2022.
Read more: Bangladesh seeks wider cooperation with UAE
He expressed his satisfaction with the arrangement of a very productive meeting of IORA by Bangladesh as the present Chairman of IORA.
The UAE state minister highlighted that under the chairmanship of Bangladesh, IORA would be more integrated and effective.
He mentioned that next year the UAE would host COP 28 and requested Bangladesh’s participation in it.
Ahmed also appreciated the priority of Sheikh Hasina’s government on agriculture and poverty alleviation.
The PM appreciated the excellent arrangement of the UAE during Expo 2020 held in Dubai.
Read more: First Bangladesh-UAE consular consultations held
She expressed that the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and UAE would be further strengthened in the coming days.
EU to work more comprehensively with Bangladesh; eyes greater maritime security cooperation: Mora
Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service Enrique Mora says Bangladesh has grown economically in a “very impressive way” and the European Union (EU) wants to work together with this “important actor” to enhance the level and quality of bilateral relations.
“It’s (Bangladesh) now an actor that we want to work with more comprehensively,” he told UNB in an interview highlighting how the two sides can cooperate in the areas of maritime security, counterterrorism, cyber security; and food and energy security.
Mora, who left Dhaka on Friday after holding the first “political dialogue” between Bangladesh and the EU, said they have a scheme for maritime security and expect that they can work together with Bangladesh on that particular area.
“For us it is an important interest. I think it is also a key interest for Bangladesh,” he said emphasizing better understanding to each other for better cooperation.
At the political dialogue, partnering on maritime security was considered with specific focus on Bangladesh engaging in EU’s Critical Maritime Routes in the Indian Ocean II (CRIMARIO II) initiative.
The need for a comprehensive, cross-sectoral and coherent approach to maritime security was also emphasized at the dialogue co-chaired by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Deputy Secretary General Mora on Thursday night.
It was envisaged that future cooperation would include information sharing mechanisms to counter non-traditional maritime threats.
Read more: Bangladesh, EU seek “inclusive, secure, rules-based” Indo-Pacific region
Bangladesh seeks EU’s special attention to harness the benefits of the blue economy and to enhance capability of marine law enforcing agencies to better address Illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
No excuses for gender-based violence, say foreign diplomats in Dhaka
Diplomats stationed in Dhaka have joined a campaign to end gender-based violence.
There are no excuses for gender-based violence, and everyone has a responsibility to act against it, said the Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh Espen Rikter-Svendsen.
"Men and boys, sons and fathers, let's unite and end violence against women and girls now," he tweeted on Friday.
Read more: Girls lag behind boys in mathematics for negative gender norms , stereotypes: UNICEF
The European Union Delegation in Bangladesh also joined everyone around the world saying no to gender-based violence.
Violence against women is understood as a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination against women and mean all acts of gender-based violence that result in or are likely to result in physical harm, sexual harm, psychological harm, economic harm, or suffering to women, according to the European Commission.
The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women marks the launch of the UNiTE campaign (Nov 25- Dec 10) — an initiative of 16 days of activism concluding on the day that commemorates the International Human Rights Day (10 December).
This campaign, led by the UN Secretary-General and UN Women since 2008, aims to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls around the world, calling for global action to increase awareness, promote advocacy and create opportunities for discussion on challenges and solutions.
Bangladesh, Iran discuss strengthening trade, investment, energy ties
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iran Mehdi Safari has met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam and discussed issues of mutual interest.
The deputy minister said Foreign Office Consultation and meeting of the Joint Economic Commission should be held at a mutually convenient time to further strengthen relations in trade, investment, economy, energy, chemical fertiliser and food security.
Shahriar briefed him about the trade potential between Bangladesh and Iran and urged for more visits of trade delegations.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) ministerial meeting on Thursday to discuss areas of cooperation under the inter-governmental organisation and between the two countries.
Read: Iran’s deputy foreign minister and Shahriar Alam discuss bilateral cooperation
Shahriar and Mehdi discussed details about cooperation under IORA.
Shahriar thanked the deputy minister for his participation and his delegation at IORA.
Bangladesh, EU seek “inclusive, secure, rules-based” Indo-Pacific region
Bangladesh and the European Union (EU) have emphasized their commitment to a “free, open, inclusive, peaceful, secure and rules-based” Indo-Pacific region with shared prosperity for all.
The EU’s Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific was discussed at the first political dialogue held in Dhaka on Thursday night and both sides agreed to advance cooperation in the areas of shared priority.
The Bangladesh delegation at the dialogue was led by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam while the EU side was led by Deputy Secretary General, European External Action Service Enrique Mora.
The launching of the dialogue marks a widening of cooperation between the two sides into strategic and thematic areas of mutual interest and is a landmark in Bangladesh-EU partnership which will complete 50 years in 2023, according to a joint statement.
The two sides also touched upon some regional issues of mutual interest.
Bangladesh sought EU’s support for continued trade preferences under the EU’s new Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) beyond 2029 in order to make its LDC graduation smooth and sustainable.
The EU appreciated the transformative socio-economic development of Bangladesh and the country’s inherent resilience in the face of multi-dimensional challenges.
The EU also commended Bangladesh for its continuing success as the largest beneficiary of the EU’s Everything but Arms (EBA) preferential trade scheme.
Read: Bangladesh, EU willing to sign “partnership cooperation” agreement to elevate ties
In this context, the EU stressed the need for comprehensive implementation of the National Action Plan on the labour sector of Bangladesh as per the stipulated timelines.
Bangladesh underscored its time-bound commitment to ensuring labour rights and workplace safety and also reiterated, among others, the need for ensuring fair pricing and shared responsibility for elements of compliance, especially in view of the investments being made in the country in safer and greener factories.
Work together to keep 1971 legacy alive: Indian envoy at 'Maitri Alumni Reunion'
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay K Verma has said it is important to work together to keep the legacy of 1971 alive, especially among the younger generations.
"That's a very important task. We should not forget our history," he said while speaking as the chief guest at the "Maitri Alumni Reunion 2022" held at Old India House Thursday evening.
The high commissioner said the relations between Bangladesh and India are rooted in the shared sacrifice that makes it so special.
"We call it a relationship which is special, multifaceted and more than a strategic partnership. But I think it is truly a relationship of people," he said, adding that the people-to-people link is the most important element of bilateral relations.
Bangladesh seeks wider cooperation with UAE
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has sought supply of LNG and investment from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in special economic zones, high tech parks and in establishing warehouses and hypermarkets in Bangladesh.
UAE State Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh met with Foreign Minister Momen on the sidelines of the IORA Ministerial meeting in Dhaka on Thursday and discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest.
The State Minister of the UAE highly appreciated the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for ongoing socio-economic development of Bangladesh.
He stressed on cooperation for enhancing trade and investment, air and shipping connection, agriculture, food security, energy, pharmaceuticals, IT, aforestation, alliance for mangrove forest, renewable energy and enhancing efficiency of energy systems.
Read: First Bangladesh-UAE consular consultations held
Momen thanked the State Minister for his visit to Bangladesh to attend the IORA meeting and expressed his satisfaction on the cooperation of the UAE and on the outcome of the IORA meeting.
He also appreciated the tremendous development taken place in the UAE under the visionary leader of the UAE late President Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Dr Momen said the Bangladesh government is keen to establish direct shipping between Chattogram and Dubai for growth of bilateral trade.
He highlighted the potential export of potatoes, mango, pineapple, pharmaceuticals and IT services to the UAE.
Read: MoU on ‘e-visa’ inked between Bangladesh-UAE
Momen requested for strong support of the UAE for repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.
The State Minister thanked the Foreign Minister for extending all possible hospitalities during their visit to Bangladesh.