fm
‘Thanks Japan’, Dr Momen says over vaccine supply
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen thanked Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu for Japan’s decision to provide 3.0 million AstraZeneca vaccines to Bangladesh through the WHO-COVAX mechanism.
"We acknowledge with deep appreciation the continued assistance of Japan in facing the challenges of Covid-19 pandemic in Bangladesh, including the direct budgetary support," he said in a letter to his Japanese counterpart.
The first consignment of 2,45,200 doses of AstraZeneca vaccine arrived here on Saturday afternoon from Japan.
Also read: Bangladesh to go for Covid vaccine coproduction soon: FM
Foreign Minister Dr Momen received the vaccine doses that came under the COVAX facility.
"We urge all for a global and united response for containing this pandemic, ensuring availability of vaccines on a global scale and mobility of resources to stimulate the global economy," Dr Momen mentioned in his letter.
He also lauded Japanese Prime Minister Suga’s leadership in hosting the Vaccine Summit on June 2 and committing vaccines and funds to combat the pandemic.
"As we prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relation between our two friendly countries in 2022, I reaffirm that Bangladesh considers Japan as a true and trusted friend and also a reliable development partner," Dr Momen said.
He mentioned that both the countries are now working to upgrade the Bangladesh-Japan relationship from a ‘Comprehensive Partnership’ to the ‘Strategic Partnership’ level.
"I sincerely believe that our ongoing Covid cooperation will further strengthen and deepen our bilateral relation," Momen said, wishing the Tokyo Olympic Games a grand success.
He wished his Japanese counterpart a long life with good health and happiness, and continued peace, progress and prosperity of the friendly people of Japan.
Japan says it will stand by Bangladesh in the fight against Covid-19.
Also read: 3 mn more Moderna vaccine jabs reach Bangladesh
Earlier, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi made an announcement that 15 countries in the region will be provided with 11 million doses in total under the COVAX facility.
Dhaka wants trilateral initiative from Moscow to resolve Rohingya crisis
Bangladesh has urged Russia to take a trilateral initiative involving Bangladesh, Russia and Myanmar like the existing one with China to resolve the Rohingya crisis as China and Russia have much leverage on Myanmar.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Monen shared the idea with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov during their recent meeting in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
“I told him (Russian FM) that we’re trying much to solve the issue bilaterally, and we had many meetings. But no one could be repatriated in the last four years. I want you to take a trilateral initiative,” Dr Momen told reporters at his residence, sharing what he conveyed to his Russian counterpart.
Also read: Dhaka seeks Moscow's help to resolve Rohingya crisis
The Foreign Minister also conveyed his Russian counterpart that Myanmar will listen to Russia as the two countries maintain very good relations.
FM-level Bangladesh-Kuwait Joint Commission proposed
Foreign Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah has proposed Bangladesh forming a Joint Committee at Foreign Ministers level to take forward the relations through joint efforts.
He also sought Bangladesh’s assistance and cooperation in strengthening health institutions, food security, education, IT and cyber security.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen had a meeting with the Kuwait Foreign Minister on the sidelines of international conference titled “Central and South Asia: Regional connectivity, Challenges and opportunities” held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan recently and discussed the issues.
Also read: FM for joint efforts to boost connectivity among countries in Central, South Asia
Dr Momen expressed his gratitude to the Kuwait Government for supporting resolution on Human Right Commission to repatriate Rohingas to Myanmar. He also proposed assisting Bangladesh under Kuwait Development Fund, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
Nothing to be sceptical about Chinese vaccines: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday said there is nothing to worry about the safety of Chinese vaccines, mentioning that millions of people used the vaccines approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).
“Listen, we heard the same when Covid-19 vaccine – AstraZeneca – first came to Bangladesh. So, there’s nothing to worry about (Chinese vaccines). WHO approved the vaccines,” he said when a reporter raised the issue.
Dr Momen referred to what he saw in video (fake) that 13 nurses turned senseless in the UK after taking AstraZeneca vaccine doses. “This kind of thing comes up.”
More than 1 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in China, according to international media.
Read: FM reassures on adequate vaccine supply from multiple sources
“There has been no problem for any of them (in China) who got vaccinated,” said the Foreign Minister, adding that there is no reason to get worried.
See your own face in mirror before advising Bangladesh: Dhaka to London
Pointing at the United Kingdom, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday said they should see their ‘own face’ in the mirror before giving advice to Bangladesh with inaccurate information.
“This is not acceptable. They should stop this practice,” he told a small group of journalists while reacting to the UK report’s some parts and US issues.
Dr Momen said BNP leader Khaleda Zia is not under house arrest and their information (in Human Rights and Democracy Report) is not correct.
The report was released by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) on Thursday last.
Referring to rape cases, the Foreign Minister said the number of rape cases in Bangladesh would be highest 9,000 annually while in the UK, rape cases were 7.33 lakh last year despite the UK population is half of Bangladesh’s population.
“It’s good for us if they provide an informative report, otherwise it’ll appear as a motivated one,” said the Foreign Minister, adding that they should see their own face first before talking about others.
Similarly, Dr Momen said there were 85,000 rape cases in the USA last year and they come to give advice to Bangladesh. “This isn’t acceptable.”
Read: Protests in Swaziland: Dhaka in constant touch with Mission
He said the Acting High Commissioner acknowledged that their report should be objective.
"You start writing reports about them. None is an angel. But, blaming someone is not a good mentality. If it is accurate, we will try to correct it," Dr Momen said.
On Sunday, Bangladesh made a protest to the United Kingdom that it was "grossly misleading" to use the words "house arrest" in reference to the current situation of Begum Khaleda Zia, Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
Also read: Things in Swaziland under control: FM
Dhaka for establishing fund for climate migrants by V20
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has proposed establishing a fund by V20 for the rehabilitation and reintegration of climate migrants to societies, or else, they could be a "security risk".
"V20 (Vulnerable Twenty) may think of establishing a Fund for their rehabilitation and reintegration to societies, otherwise they could be a security risk," he said.
Each year, Dr Momen said, thousands of people are uprooted from their sweet homes and traditional jobs due to global warming, inundation and river erosion.
Also read: Vulnerable economies call on rich nations to avert global climate-Covid economic threat
"These displaced people, we term them as ‘Climate Migrants’ need to be rehabilitated," he said while addressing the Climate Vulnerables' Finance Summit on Thursday night.
Things in Swaziland under control: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said Bangladeshis in Swaziland are now better protected as the situation there is now under control.
“Now things are under control… the situation is peaceful,” he said, mentioning that the shops of some Bangladeshis were looted during the initial movement there.
Read: Protests in Swaziland: Dhaka in constant touch with Mission
The Foreign Minister said there are some affluent Bangladeshis who gave shelter to others and police also said they will take care of them.
Dr Momen said it is a 20-minute journey from Swaziland to South Africa, and the Bangladeshis will get support, if required.
Earlier, Mashfee Binte Shams, Secretary (East) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told UNB the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) is in constant touch with the Bangladesh Mission in South Africa to help Bangladeshis in Swaziland who are worried over the current situation there.
She said the Bangladesh Mission in South Africa will facilitate if any Bangladesh national requires any support.
Read: Bangladesh to receive 3.5 mln vaccine doses from COVAX this month
There are around 1,500 Bangladesh nationals in Swaziland.
Eswatini, officially the Kingdom of Eswatini, is still commonly known in English as Swaziland and it is a landlocked country in Southern Africa.
It is bordered by Mozambique to its northeast and South Africa to its north, west, and south.
Pro-democracy protesters in Eswatini have defied an overnight curfew to call for constitutional reforms as tensions increase in Africa’s last absolute monarchy.
Demonstrations flared in the tiny and landlocked kingdom previously known as Swaziland, with protesters taking to the streets in the two largest cities of Manzini and Mbabane, reports Al Jazeera.
Individuals having appointments to be allowed to go to foreign missions during lockdown: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday said the authorities concerned will allow those to go to foreign missions in the city during lockdown considering the prior appointments including visa delivery issues.
He said the Police Commissioner has been advised to allow the students or others to go to the missions to get their visas and complete their relevant works.
“This is something which came up. Some of the students approached us. It has been resolved and a decision is taken,” Dr Momen told reporters after attending a programme at Foreign Service Academy.
READ: S Asian nations should receive vaccines without any strings attached: FM
Dr Momen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam also spoke at the function marking the launching of Foreign Service Debating Club.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen was also present.
READ: Govt. life-and-livelihood policy has worked well in fighting pandemic: FM
The weeklong strict countrywide lockdown begins on July 1 and Dhaka Metropolitan Police said they are prepared to arrest anyone who will go out without emergencies during the strict lockdown.
S Asian nations should receive vaccines without any strings attached: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said the South Asian nations should receive their shares of Covid vaccines and that too without any strings attached.
“Due to the sudden sweep over of Covid-19 cases in neighboring countries, it is imperative,” he said.
Dr Momen said Bangladesh demands Covid vaccines to be a public good and its technology should be shared and available to all countries to produce it at an affordable price.
Also read: Health minister hopes to get 11 crore vaccine doses by December
The Foreign Minister was addressing a webinar on “Revisiting Contemporary Peace and Security Challenges in the South Asian Region” as the chief guest organized by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).
He said they have discovered with awe and disappointment that global politics and affluence-power nexus have the overpowering dominance in the global society. “We wonder if the way to procure vaccines would be smooth at all as the bilateral cooperation is not the only deciding factor.”
BIISS Director General Maj Gen Md Emdad Ul Bari delivered the welcome address while BIISS Chairman M Fazlul Karim chaired the session and delivered the introductory remarks.
In the webinar five papers were presented. Professor Imtiaz Ahmed, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka presented a paper on “Contemporary Geopolitical Competitions in the South Asian Region”.
Also read: Bangladesh to get fair share of vaccines: US Congresswoman
A paper titled “Inter and Intra-State Conflicts in South Asia (Indo-China, Indo-Pak Border Conflicts and Bangladesh-Myanmar Border Issues)” was presented by Professor Rashed Uz Zaman, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka.
Brig Gen Monirul Islam Akand, Director, Overseas Operations Directorate, Army Headquarters delivered a presentation on “Peacekeeping Challenges in the Present Time: Bangladesh Perspective”.
A paper titled “Recent Trends in Terrorism and Violent Extremism” was presented by Md. Monirul Islam, Additional Inspector General of Police, Bangladesh Police Special Branch) while M Ashique Rahman, Research Fellow, BIISS presented a paper on “Covid-19 and the Geopolitical Changes in South Asia”.
Dr Momen said the pandemic illustrated that political leaders, scientists, and citizens cannot operate in isolation during health crises.
Rather, he said, health emergencies must be viewed as global security crises that require coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders.
To obtain the full health, societal, and economic benefits of vaccines, programs must be coordinated, inclusive, and equitable. Stronger regional and international cooperation is necessary in the coming days for mitigating the impact of the pandemic and for the rebuilding phase, Dr Momen said.
Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan to hold FM-level talks next month
Bangladesh and Kyrgyz Foreign Ministers are likely to hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the upcoming Central and South Asia Regional Connectivity Conference to be held on July 15-16 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and his Kyrgyz counterpart are scheduled to attend the connectivity conference.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Kyrgyz Republic, resident in Tashkent, recently met Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Ruslan Kazakbaev and discussed the issue.
Also read: Kyrgyzstan ends statelessness in historic first
The Bangladesh Ambassador requested the Kyrgyz Foreign Minister for expediting the process of signing MoU on Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) between Bangladesh and Kyrgyzstan and holding a sideline meeting between the two foreign ministers.
The Kyrgyz Foreign Minister agreed to the proposal of the Bangladesh Ambassador and instructed his officials present in the meeting to send again the draft MoU for FOC between two countries and also expressed his desire to have a sideline meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart.
Also read: Kyrgyzstan's president steps down amid political unrest
The Bangladesh Ambassador also presented the copies of credentials to the Kyrgyz Foreign Minister.
The Kyrgyz Foreign Minister welcomed the Bangladesh Ambassador and assured him of all cooperation during his tenure as Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan.