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Hasina’s courage, sincerity, strong willingness helped implement metro rail: FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has credited Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s courage, sincerity and strong willingness for achieving a number of milestones, including the metro rail project.
“It will be a historic moment for us. It’s a matter of pride and joy for us. It has been possible for our leader Sheikh Hasina’s courage, strong willingness and sincerity,” he told the reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate the much-awaited first-ever elevated metro rail on December 28 for commercial operation.
Initially, some 10-set trains with six coaches will run from Uttara to Agargaon.
Read more: Dhaka Metro Rail launch: From ticketing to seating – things to know
“I tell you. There had been various kinds of conspiracies (to halt the implementation of mega projects – the Padma Bridge and metro rail),” Momen said.
He thanked Japan saying: “The country helped Bangladesh despite all the conspiracies and they (Japanese people) were sincere in their work. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic they kept working.”
Momen said the government remains grateful to Japan for their uninterrupted support despite the Holey Artisan attack that left over 20 people, including Japanese citizens, dead.
“We have created another history – the tunnel beneath the River Karnaphuli. “These (the Padma Bridge, tunnel, and metro rail) are the milestones of Bangladesh,” Momen said.
Read more: PM to open 1st phase of metro rail on December 28: Quader
Appreciating Hasina’s leadership and stability in the country, the foreign minister said if someone really wants to do something, they will find a way to do it, even if there are things that make it hard to do. “Good leadership and a stable government bring benefits.”
Govt will guarantee full protection of all diplomats, says FM
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday said there is nothing to worry about the security of foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka, noting that they will be given full protection.
"Our government will guarantee full protection of all diplomats," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"Have you ever heard that any diplomat was killed in Bangladesh? Why do you fear?" Momen said referring to a bomb blast during BNP-Jamaat tenure when the then British high commissioner to Bangladesh Anwar Choudhury was injured.
Responding to a question, Momen said he does not see any scope that the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the USA will deteriorate due to a tiny incident. "It's a multifaceted relationship."
Read more: Khosru on Shaheenbagh incident: Diplomatic corps’ security in Bangladesh ‘brought into question’
He said Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Muhammad Imran had a prescheduled meeting which was originally scheduled to be held over the phone. Later, the meeting was held in person.
The US side said they raised the December 14 incident at the "highest levels" of the Bangladesh government, as well as with the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC.
"The ambassador (Peter Haas) is a bit panicked about his security. Our ambassador said there is no reason to get panicked," Momen said.
Earlier, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan on Sunday said there had been no lack of security when US Ambassador Peter Haas visited Dhaka's Shaheenbagh area recently.
While talking to reporters at the Secretariat, he said police personnel rushed to the spot immediately.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said the situation that US Ambassador Peter Haas faced could not be seen as a "security threat".
"There is no scope to see it as a security threat," he told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy on Thursday evening, noting that the incident will have no impact on Dhaka-Washington relations.
Read more: Diplomats don’t have the power to put anyone in power: Information Minister
The US Embassy in Dhaka has said they take "seriously" all allegations of human rights violations and regularly meet with a wide variety of human rights organisations.
"The US Embassy had not received any prior communication from 'Mayer Kanna' over the last several years," said a US Embassy spokesperson on Sunday in light of various articles and statements surrounding Ambassador Haas' meeting with Mayer Dak on December 14.
Providing more information to the media in an email, the spokesperson said human rights are at the "centre" of US foreign policy.
The US ambassador ended his "prescheduled" meeting with "Mayer Dak" on December 14 due to "security concerns."
"The meeting was interrupted by protestors, who attempted to enter the building where the ambassador was located. Other protestors surrounded the ambassador's vehicle," said the spokesperson.
'Time for Indian businesses to focus more on Bangladesh'
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday said the business communities of both Bangladesh and India should draw close and play their due role in fostering mutual prosperity and economic advancement of their peoples.
"Time is ripe for the Indian business community to focus more on Bangladesh and take advantage of its economic growth, cheaper cost and huge consumer base," he said.
Momen said both the governments are sincerely exploring the avenues to further facilitate their trade and investment relations and have agreed to introduce negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
The Foreign Minister was speaking as the chief guest at a session titled "Trade and Commerce" at the police ground in Silchar, Assam that was chaired by Kambhampati Hari Babu, Governor of the state of Mizoram, India
Read more: Momen inaugurates ‘Bangabandhu Corner’ and ‘Bangabandhu garden’ at NIT, Silchar
Chandra Mohan Patowary, Minister for Environment and Forests, Act East Policy Affairs and Welfare of MinoritiesGovernment of Assam, India and Mustafizur Rahman, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India also spoke.
Momen said Bangladesh is India’s most important development and trading partner.
"India receives the highest number of tourists and medical patients from Bangladesh. Thousands of Indian nationals are working in Bangladesh, contributing to both the economies," he said.
"I am confident that the deep bonds of friendship existing between Bangladesh and India shall continue to grow and flourish," Momen said.
The India Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, Government of India organized the session at the Silchar-Sylhet Festival.
Read more: Bangladesh delegation led by FM Momen attends 1st Silchar-Sylhet Festival-2022
Momen said Bangladesh is uniquely located to enable Indian investors to export their products to not only to the North Eastern States of India, but also to Nepal, Bhutan, and to South East Asian countries.
On the other hand, he said, geographical proximity makes the North East Region lucrative for Bangladesh to invest in small and medium scale sectors like food-processing industries, agro-based industries, IT sector, and forest-based and tourism based industries.
"I would urge Indian investors to consider possible investments in infrastructure projects, manufacturing, in energy and transport sectors. Indian investors and business houses can set up industries in Bangladesh through Buy-Back arrangements by reducing time, cost and resources," said the Foreign Minister.
FM lauds FOSA initiatives
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Saturday appreciated the efforts made by the Foreign Office Spouses’ Association (FOSA) which hosted a daylong "International Charity Bazaar" at the Foreign Service Academy.
“I am very proud of them. Every year, they are coming up with more innovative ways of doing it,” he said.
read more: Several countries, including Afghanistan, suffered due to foreigners’ role: Momen
Momen said the FOSA members spent plenty of time in organizing a series of events and assured them of extending support from his Ministry to organize such events in a larger way.
FM, Scottish Minister agree to strengthen cooperation in renewable energy sector
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Scottish Minister for Environment and Land Reform Mairi McAllan have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the renewable energy sector.
They discussed the issue during a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of COP27 on Thursday.
The two ministers discussed the possibilities of unlocking opportunities for engaging in offshore wind power and hydrogen to further broaden Bangladesh’s energy mix.
Minister McAllan underscored Scotland’s support for ‘loss and damage’.
Minister Momen stressed the critical importance of the issue for climate vulnerable countries.
Read more: Bangladesh is a lucrative country for foreign investment: Foreign Minister
He urged that the concerns of those displaced due to climate change are also addressed as part of that.
Momen also thanked the Scottish government for hosting COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021.
Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Momen met Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland.
They exchanged views on COP27 issues that are of particular interest to the Commonwealth member states.
They particularly discussed ways for the effective implementation of the Commonwealth Blue Charter for a fair, inclusive and sustainable approach to ocean protection and economic development.
Citing Bangladesh as a powerful champion of climate change causes, Secretary General Scotland requested Bangladesh to consider leading one of the Action Groups under the Commonwealth Blue Charter.
Read more: ‘Reports misquoting me tried to create adverse situation between Bangladesh, US’
Foreign Minister Momen endorsed the Commonwealth Secretary General’s suggestion to create a high-level core group for raising awareness on mental health issues.
He also requested to provide increased number of Commonwealth scholarships for Bangladeshi students.
The Secretary General informed the Minister about a new opportunity being created for training young people from the Commonwealth member states in artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Bangladesh Ambassador to Egypt Md. Monirul Islam was also present at the meetings.
Bangladesh seeks Brazilian investment in energy, infrastructure, ICT sectors
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has invited Brazilian investors to invest in the energy, infrastructure and ICT sectors in Bangladesh.
He said Bangladesh is the largest manufacturing hub in the region.
Foreign Minister Momen said Bangladesh and Brazil have so many similarities but the trade volume is still to grow more.
The issues were discussed when newly appointed Ambassador of Brazil to Bangladesh Paulo Fernando Dias Feres met the Foreign Minister at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
Foreign Minister Momen welcomed the new Brazilian Ambassador to Bangladesh and congratulated him on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Brazil.
Read more: EU announces € 3m for Rohingyas in Bhasan Char
He also congratulated the newly elected President of Brazil Luiz Inácio ‘Lula’ da Silva for his remarkable victory.
The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh looks forward to working with the new administration to further strengthening the political and trade relations.
Momen invited newly elected President Luiz Inácio ‘Lula’ da Silva to visit Bangladesh next year at a mutually convenient time.
Read more: UN expert urges Bangladesh to step up efforts to prevent trafficking
He highlighted Bangladesh’s interest in importing sugar, soybean oil and high breed milking cows from Brazil.
Momen also expressed hope that Brazil would facilitate Bangladesh’s initiative to have preferential trade agreement with the MERCOSUR countries.
The Foreign Minister said at present developing countries do not have any effective international forum for greater cooperation.
He opined that the developing countries like Brazil, Bangladesh and other like-minded developing countries can form an organisation for southern countries for better supply chain management, information sharing and shared economic development.
Brazilian Ambassador Feres appreciated the idea and expressed his country’s keen interest to work with Bangladesh closely on the issues of mutual benefits.
He appreciated Bangladesh’s economic strides in the recent years and sought government’s cooperation during his tenure in Dhaka.
Both sides also discussed the issues of mutual cooperation and reciprocal supports in the multilateral forum.
Momen at UN: Dhaka seeks increased funds for climate change mitigation, adaptation
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has highlighted the importance of enhanced funds for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
During his meeting with President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, Csaba Kőrösi, at the UN headquarters in New York on Friday, Momen also mentioned that the pledge of providing USD 100 billion funds per year should be materialized at the earliest.
The president of the UNGA expressed his support on this issue.
Regarding the Rohingya issue, the foreign minister highlighted steps taken by the Bangladesh government on various issues including Covid-19 management and providing education to Rohingya children in their own language.
Momen also conveyed his dissatisfaction as not a single Rohingya has been repatriated to Myanmar yet.
In response, the UNGA president commended Bangladesh’s role in providing shelter and humanitarian assistance to the Rohingyas.
He also said that the crisis is unacceptable, according to the Bangladesh Mission in New York.
Csaba Kőrösi applauded Bangladesh’s remarkable leadership, productive engagement, and significant contribution in recent times to various United Nations endeavours.
At the outset of the meeting, Momen presented two proposals.
Also read: FM urges Palestinian and Jordanian students to highlight development stories of Bangladesh
These are, to organize a high-level event on ‘Review of the implementation of SDGs’ and to take initiative to create a forum of the finance, foreign and development ministers of developing countries under South-South Cooperation.
The foreign minister expressed concern on the funding gaps in the implementation of SDG, particularly in view of the Covid -19 pandemic.
The proposed high-level event will bring an opportunity to review the progress made towards implementing SDGs and the way forward to meet the funding gaps, the FM added.
The foreign minister also mentioned that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has been able to maintain a satisfactory GDP growth even amidst the pandemic.
Momen invited the UNGA president to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time.
Meeting with Under Secretary General of UN Peace Operations
During a meeting with the Under Secretary General of the United Nations Department of Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Foreign Minister Abdul Momen said that Bangladesh has always played a leading role in the United Nations Peace Operations and will continue to do this.
He mentioned that Bangladesh is ready to provide Quick Reaction Force (QRF), Base Defense Contingent, Infantry Contingent, and Police Contingent in the future. Besides, the foreign minister also called for appointing senior military and civilian officers at the leading level, especially force commanders.
Momen requested to use Bangladesh’s expertise, experience, and best practices in building sustainable peace in countries in conflict.
Momen also reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to increase the number of women peacekeepers.
He invited the USG to visit Bangladesh particularly to join the upcoming international seminar on women peace and security and the 26th Annual conference of the International Association of Peacekeeping Training Centres(IAPTC)
Lacroix praised the Bangladeshi peacekeepers for their dutifulness, responsibility, and professional skills in the UN Peace Operations.
He thanked Bangladesh for the recent deployment of the Infantry Battalion from Bangladesh to Abeyi, Sudan, Armored Helicopters and Quick Reaction Force contingents in Mali, Hospital Units in Central Africa, and deployment of Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) contingents in Congo.
Lacroix expressed the hope that Bangladesh will continue to contribute to the peacekeeping operations of the United Nations, including women peacekeepers.
FM urges Palestinian and Jordanian students to highlight development stories of Bangladesh
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday urged the students of Palestine and Jordan who have obtained MBBS and other degrees from Bangladesh to uphold the development image of Bangladesh to others.The minister also called them goodwill ambassadors of Bangladesh.He said these in a video message given at a reception organized in honor of Palestinian and Jordanian students who have obtained MBBS and other higher degrees from Bangladesh recently at the initiative of the Bangladesh Embassy in Jordan's Amman.Momen said, "Bangladesh has always been supporting the Palestine issue and Jordan".He said to the students that you have got the opportunity to know Bangladesh better than the citizens of many other countries. As you have spent the most important time of your life in Bangladesh you will always be considered as true friends of us and believe that you will be by our side in any situation, Momen hoped.Ambassador Nahida Sobhan welcomed everyone at the beginning of the event and said that Bangladesh has a historical relationship with Palestine and Jordan. She also said that Bangladesh is now being considered as a "role model" of development in various fields including education, health, agriculture, information, technology, women's empowerment, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She urged all those who completed their education from Bangladesh to illustrate the real image of Bangladesh to the world.A video on the development and culture of Bangladesh was screened on the occasion.
Momen mourns Sajeda Chowdhury
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has expressed shock and deep grief at the death of Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, presidium member of the Awami League and deputy leader of the House.
Sajeda, Faridpur-2 MP, breathed her last at 11:40pm at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka.
Read: AL leader Sajeda Chowdhury passes away
Momen also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and extended his heartfelt sympathy to the deputy leader of the House and her family.
"Veteran politician Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury had played a great role during the Liberation War of 1971. Her death is an irreparable loss to our political arena and the country at large," the foreign minister said.
Lawyer moves SC seeking Momen's disqualification
A writ petition has been filed in the Supreme Court, challenging the legality of AK Abdul Momen holding the office of the Foreign Minister.
On behalf of SC advocate Md Ershad Hossain Rashed, lawyer Mostafizur Rahman Ahad filed the petition in the High Court division of the top court on Tuesday.
A High Court bench, led by Justice Md Mojibur Rahman Mia, is likely to hear the petition, said Mostafizur.
On August 21, SC lawyer Ershad sent a legal notice to the Foreign Minister urging him to step down within 48 hours for violating the Constitution over his "controversial remarks".
Also read: Legal notice served seeking FM Momen’s resignation in 48 hrs
"As I did not receive any response from the Foreign Minister, I decided to file the writ petition," Ershad said.
The cabinet secretary, secretary of parliament secretariat, and the foreign minister has been made respondents to this writ petition.
The petition is enlisted in the court’s cause list for Wednesday, he said.
Also read: Momen not accompanying PM in India: Dipu Moni questions media’s use of “dropped”
At a Janmashtami programme in Chattogram on Thursday, Momen reportedly said that he had urged the Indian government to back Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina so that she can stay in power.
After much criticism over this statement, the FM provided an explanation the next day, saying that he had requested the Indian government to help the Bangladesh PM maintain the stability of her government.