Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Saida Shinichi has reiterated Japan’s strong support for the interim government of Bangladesh and mentioned that the upcoming Parliamentary Vice Minister level visit will officially convey this message of political support.

He met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday and expressed his commitment to stand firmly by the interim government to support their reform efforts and to further strengthen bilateral relations in broad areas under the “Strategic Partnership”.

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From this perspective, the two sides cordially exchanged views on various issues, including deepening economic ties, enhancing political and security cooperation, Rohingya refugees and other bilateral cooperation agendas.

The Ambassador underscored the importance of holding Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) soon and regular exchange of high-level visits between the two countries, and expressed satisfaction over the ongoing negotiations of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the two countries.

The envoy informed that JICA chief is scheduled to visit Bangladesh in March this year.

He also told the Foreign Adviser about the Japanese decision to provide five patrol vessels to Bangladesh for coastal area patrolling and their readiness to sign an agreement with the government to provide equipment on air pollution monitoring in Bangladesh.

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The Foreign Adviser thanked the government of Japan for their support for the interim government, and thanked Japan for being Bangladesh’s largest bilateral development partner and acknowledged Japan’s contribution to major development initiatives in Bangladesh.

He mentioned that Bangladesh’s relationship with Japan has always been steady and Japanese investments in Bangladesh will always be secured.

The Foreign Adviser thanked Japan’s continued efforts towards a durable solution for the safe, sustainable, and dignified return of Rohingyas to the Rakhine State of Myanmar.

He also appreciated Japan’s humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas, including those relocated in Bhashan Char.

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Mentioning that recent developments in Rakhine State adding pressure on Bangladesh, he sought Japanese support for the upcoming conference on the Rohingya crisis to be organised by Bangladesh in Doha in collaboration with the United Nations.

Both sides talked about bilateral collaboration as well as mutual support in election matters in the international fora, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Foreign Adviser wished the new Japanese Ambassador a successful tenure in Bangladesh and expressed hope that the Bangladesh-Japanese relationship will reach a new height during his tenure.