Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen
Dhaka condemns attack on Abe, wishes his quick recovery
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has condemned Friday’s shooting on Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a campaign speech and prayed for his quick recovery.“Shinzo Abe is my close friend and he is also a true friend of Bangladesh. We pray for his speedy and complete recovery," Momen said in a message on Friday, describing the incident as a very unfortunate one.World leaders expressed shock and anguish over Friday’s shooting and prayed for Abe's quick and complete recovery.
Also read: Japan ex-leader Shinzo Abe apparently shot, in heart failureAbe was shot in western Japan and airlifted to a hospital.Officials said he was not breathing and his heart had stopped. Police have arrested a suspected gunman at the scene.The attack was a shock in one of the world’s safest countries with some of the strictest gun control laws.
Also read: Japan PM Shinzo Abe resigns for health reasons
Momen urges media to uphold national interests in exercising freedom
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has urged the journalists to uphold the country’s interest and dignity while exercising their right to free expression.
“The government is very transparent. We believe in freedom of speech,” he said, adding that in some cases unregulated freedom creates problems.
Sharing his experience of living in the USA, Momen said all freedoms are regulated there and everyone needs to keep in mind that there is limitation.
The foreign minister made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with the executive committee of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.
Also Read: Switzerland keen to invest in Bangladesh’s disaster-prone areas
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen, DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus and its General Secretary AKM Moinuddin were present.
The foreign minister said there is a “sea change” in the country in terms of development and stability which is good for the whole region.
“We have stability and impressive growth,” he said, expecting that everyone involved in journalism will uphold the interest of the country.
Talking about disinformation, Momen said all need to remain careful so that nobody can undermine the country and its interest. “You all love this country. We love too. People’s welfare should be kept in mind.”
Dhaka seeks Commonwealth support for Rohingya repatriation
The Rohingya crisis has entered its 6th year threatening human security, peace, and stability of the region, the Bangladesh foreign minister has said.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has reiterated that earliest repatriation of all forcibly displaced Rohingyas back to their ancestral homeland in Rakhine in safety and dignity remains Bangladesh’s compelling priority.
Read: Rohingya Repatriation: Momen reiterates Dhaka’s call for expediting verification process
Momen raised the issue during his intervention at the Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting held in Rwandan Capital Kigali on Thursday.
He appreciated the Commonwealth nations for incorporating a special text on Rohingya crisis in the Heads of Governments Communiqué.
Momen vows to help flood-stricken people
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has urged all to get involved to help the flood-affected people in Sylhet region and join hands with the government to rescue those stranded by flood waters.He said the administration is mobilising an adequate number of speedboats and boats to rescue the marooned people in flood-affected regions and take them to nearby shelters.The foreign minister in a video message from his verified Facebook page on Friday pledged to take government assistance to all flood affected people in Sylhet region.He also urged activists and leaders of local Awami League and its associate bodies to voluntarily provide cooked food to the centers as there is no shortage of relief and dry food.
Read: Worsening floods threaten power supply in Sylhet: officials"The SSC exam was a concern for the students there but it has been suspended for now. Electricity got disrupted in many areas as the Sylhet City Corporation could not protect the Kumargaon power substation from getting flooded ” he added.All the relevant ministries are jointly trying to control the situation and are being alerted and there is nothing to get panicked, said Momen.“It gave us a lesson that we have occupied the water bodies like canal, haor, bil which caused the flood situation to worsen and these need dredging, he said.
Rohingya Repatriation: Momen reiterates Dhaka’s call for expediting verification process
Welcoming the resumption of talks between Bangladesh and Myanmar, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday reiterated Dhaka’s call to expedite the verification process of the Rohingyas to begin their repatriation to their place of origin in Rakhine State of Myanmar.
“It’s good news that they (Myanmar) have started discussion,” he said, adding that there have been three meetings at various levels recently.
While taking to reporters in a city hotel, Momen said the Bangladesh side handed over a list of 8.30 lakh individuals containing biometric data but they have only verified 58000.
He said Bangladesh wants to begin repatriation of the Rohingyas but no date has been fixed yet to make that happen.
Momen, however, said the two sides had a good meeting on Tuesday in which Bangladesh laid emphasis on expediting the verification process and begin the repatriation of the Rohingyas as soon as possible.
Bangladesh and Myanmar on Tuesday held “substantive discussions” on all issues related to voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland.
Also read: Pursuing economic diplomacy to contribute to timely attainment of SDGs: FM
At a meeting held virtually, Bangladesh stressed on the need for early commencement of repatriation to lessen the colossal burden of hosting the displaced people, expeditious verification of eligibility for return, and security, livelihood and wellbeing of the returnees.
Foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Myanmar Chan Aye led the respective sides at the fifth meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on the repatriation of the Rohingyas temporarily sheltered in Bangladesh.
Five years have passed since the Rohingyas fled home in one of the largest exoduses in recent history.
The promise of safe return remains unfulfilled, says Bangladesh, noting that not a single Rohingya has been able to return home.
Also read: FM Momen rues long delay in Teesta deal with India
Both sides agreed to work on addressing verification related problems and holding regular meetings of the JWG and technical working group for early commencement of repatriation.
JCC with India
Asked about the next round of Joint Consultation Commission (JCC) meeting between Bangladesh and India, the foreign minister said all the issues including border management, issues related to joint rivers and energy security will be discussed.
Bangladesh was seeking the long-delayed meeting of the Joint Rivers Commission but it is not taking place before the JCC.
“We wanted to have the JRC meeting first,” Momen said, adding that Bangladesh will discuss the rivers’ issues in the JCC.
The JCC is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on June 19 and the foreign minister is likely to leave here for Delhi on June 18 if there is no last minute change.
Foreign minister Momen and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar had a meeting while attending the third edition of Asian Confluence River Conclave-2022 (NADI) in Guwahati last month.
The JCC will be co-chaired by Momen and Jaishankar.
The two foreign ministers also met in Dhaka recently and stressed on following up the decisions taken at the highest level for their effective implementation for mutual benefit.
The sixth meeting of the JCC was held on September 29, 2020. Although Dhaka was scheduled to host the meeting, the meeting was held on a virtual platform due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Bangladesh and India noted that 2021 was a landmark year for their relationship as the president and the prime minister of India visited Bangladesh in a single year. The countries celebrated the 50th years of diplomatic ties through the joint celebration of a number of landmark events across the world.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is likely to visit India this year.
Global oil, LNG price hike impact Bangladesh: Momen
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Sunday said purchase of oil and LNG at increased price is putting negative impact on foreign exchange reserve of the country.
He said this in Parliament while replying to a tabled question of Gonoforum MP elected from Sylhet-2 Mokabbir Khan.
Also read: Bangladesh purchases LNG, fertiliser at lower rates as prices fall in global market
Momen said that the amount of government subsidy is being increased so that people are not affected due to increase of price of fuel and LPG which is putting pressure on the overall budget.
“In addition, purchase of oil and LNG at an increased price is putting a negative impact on foreign exchange reserves,” he said.
The minister said that the Russia-Ukraine war has affected all the countries of the world and Bangladesh is no exception.
“The negative impact of this war on the global economy is multidimensional, this war also has a multidimensional effect in Bangladesh,” he added.
The foreign minister said that due to the far-sighted leadership and prudent guidance of PM Hasina, the impact of the Ukraine war was much less in Bangladesh than in many developed and more capable countries of the world.
The government was very much able to mitigate the damaging effects of the Russia-Ukraine war, he added.
He said the government has taken various steps to address the crisis caused by the war.
As part of this, he mentioned that imports of luxury goods have been discouraged. Bangladesh Bank has already taken some practical steps to increase remittances.
“In addition, all kinds of exposure visits, study tours, workshops and seminars of government officials have been stopped to keep the value of money against the US dollar reasonable. The same initiative has been taken in the case of bankers.”
The foreign minister said that the price of Brent crude oil in the world market was USD 56 per barrel in January, which has now risen to more than USD 120. The price of LNG has also gone up in the spot market.
Also read: Cabinet purchase body approves import of diesel, Jet fuel, LNG and fertilizer
In reply to a query from ruling party Awami League MP Didarul Alam (Chittagong-4) Momen said, there are 1913 Bangladeshi nationals detained in different jails of India and Myanmar.
Of them, 1850 Bangladeshis are in India and the rest 63 in Myanmar, he said.
The foreign minister said most of the Bangladeshis detained in India, are accused of over staying due to procedural reasons.
He also said if the concerned authorities informed about the Bangladeshi nationals detained in the jail or if get information through any other means, the Bangladesh missions in India verify those and confirms about the Bangladeshi detainees.
“The Bangladeshi missions also meet them with the permission of the concerned authorities and provide them necessary legal assistance,” Momen said.
About the 63 Bangladeshi citizens detained in Myanmar, Momen said they are serving different terms in jails for illegal entry.
“They will be repatriated once their sentences expire. Of the 63 detainees in Myanmar, 13 have been confirmed to have Bangladeshi citizenship. The process of confirming the citizenship of the remaining 50 people is underway,” he said.
Responding to a question from ruling Awami League MP, M Abdul Latif (Chittagong-11), Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said the number of female drug addicts has increased as compared to the number of drug addicts receiving treatment at public and private rehabilitation centres in the country.
However, the minister did not say how much has increased.
Momen hopeful of achieving 7.5 pc GDP
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Friday said Bangladesh will overcome challenges to attain the proposed budget's gross domestic product or GDP target of 7.5 per cent.
“Bangladesh is in our heart. We believe we will be able to achieve the GDP target,” he told reporters after attending a programme in the city.
Also read: Budget offers no good news for lower, middle income groups: CPD
Momen said despite challenges due to Covid-19 pandemic Bangladesh economy is doing fine.
The extreme poverty rate has already come down to 10.5 per cent due to the steps taken by the government to alleviate poverty and the target has been set to bring it down to three per cent by 2030, said foreign minister.
The government is implementing a comprehensive programme for the welfare of the distressed people of the society, said the minister at the annual sports and cultural meet arranged by Sylhet Division of the Department of Social Services at Bagbari in Sylhet.
Referring to various government assistance provided through the Department of Social Services, Momen said assistance has been provided to the people through old age allowance, allowances for the widow, deserted and destitute women, allowance for indigent persons with disabilities, education stipend for students with disabilities, natural disaster and risk management programs.
Also read: Budget to make economy stronger: Finance Minister
He said the present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working to build a developed and non-communal country where food, clothing, shelter, education and medical care will be ensured for all.
On the occasion, the foreign minister visited the parade with the participation of residents of various institutions of Sylhet Division of the Department of Social Services and received greetings.
Dhaka seeks renewed global actions to combat climate change
Bangladesh has sought finance and technology transfer for the developing countries like Bangladesh to help them cope with the devastating impacts of climate change.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen raised the issue while delivering country statement at the Stockholm+50 international meeting, held in Stockholm, Sweden on Thursday.
Also read: FM Momen rues long delay in Teesta deal with India
Speaking at the plenary session of the meeting, Momen said that the Stockholm+50 platform has offered a unique opportunity to rethink the critical role of the global community for a resilient, healthy and prosperous planet for all.
He emphasized on Bangladesh government’s climate actions and initiatives to save the planet including ‘Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan’ and adoption of ‘Planetary Emergency’ resolution by the Parliament.
Stockholm+50 international meeting is convened by the United Nations and hosted by Sweden with support from the Government of Kenya.
Under the theme “Stockholm+50: a healthy planet for the prosperity of all–our responsibility, our opportunity,” this high-level meeting commemorates the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment and celebrate 50 years of global environmental action.
Around 150 members of the United Nations, members of the UN Specialized Agencies, IGOs, IFIs are taking part in this meeting.
On the sidelines of Stockholm+50, Momen attended an intergenerational roundtable on exploring how to better understand, think and act for future generations.
In the roundtable, he shared the important policies of the government to leave behind a safe, climate resilient and prosperous Bangladesh for the young generation.
Bangladesh also joined a “Ministerial Statement on Future Generations” which aims to recognize the responsibilities of the present generations towards future generations and take specific actions to leave a planet that will not be irreversibly damaged by climate change and other human activity.
He also held bilateral meetings with the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
During the meeting, the UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner highly praised Bangladesh’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and her leadership role in global climate actions.
Also read: FM urges UNHCR to expedite efforts at Rohingya repatriation to Myanmar
Momen sought support from UNDP in developing early warning system for flash floods, heightening embankments to serve both the purposes of protecting floods, creating carbon sinks by planting mangroves.
The foreign minister is scheduled to meet the Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and address at different leadership dialogue sessions and roundtables of the Stcokholm+50 on Friday.
FM Momen rues long delay in Teesta deal with India
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has reiterated the importance of signing Teesta water sharing agreement with India, saying it is “unfortunate” and “a shame” that the deal remains stuck for 11 years.
"It is unfortunate that we could not get the Teesta water sharing deal through for 11 years. It's a shame, we were ready, they were ready, yet the deal is not done. In future there will be a big cry for water and we have to prepare for it," he told India’s NDTV in Guwahati.
Also read: Momen meets Assam chief minister
While talking to NDTV on the sidelines of the NADI Conclave held in Guwahati on May 28-29, Momen said the two countries share 54 rivers with India and they are keen on sharing and working together on joint management of all rivers. “Joint management is necessary for the wellbeing of people of both sides, the entire basin area.”
The Teesta river originates in the Teesta Kangse glacier and flows through Sikkim and West Bengal before entering Bangladesh. It has been mired in conflict since 1947 when the catchment areas of the Teesta were allotted to India.
In 2011, India agreed to share 37.5 per cent of Teesta waters while retaining 42.5 per cent of the waters during the lean season between December and March.
However, the deal never went through due to stiff opposition from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, reports NDTV.
"We are very optimistic that India would agree to go forward with the deal, even West Bengal will agree, and we will achieve it," he said.
Moreover, constant building of dams along the Teesta in Sikkim has resulted in lean seasonal flow draining into Bangladesh, reads the report.
"Assam, Bangladesh faced floods this year at the same time, we need to collaborate more with technology for water discharge, jointly develop early flood warning systems, and joint management of rivers is win-win for both countries," said Momen.
There is a lot of media buzz that Bangladesh is discussing an almost $1 billion loan from China for a comprehensive management and restoration project on the Teesta river.
The project is aimed at managing the river basin efficiently, controlling floods, and tackling the water crisis in summers.
The foreign minister said, "We don't have a formal proposal from China on Teesta as yet, the one that China was proposing initially was a French project, designed by French engineers in 1989. It was expensive, at that time we could not manage funds. Now the Chinese are picking up one component of it, the Teesta project, but this I gather from media reports, they did not send us a proposal as of now. We have to see how it goes, because as of now India is not really doing much to resolve the Teesta water sharing issue, that's why they came up with a proposal, it's a lucrative proposal.”
Also read:Momen, Jaishankar to inaugurate River Conclave in Guwahati Saturday
In September 2016, the Bangladesh Water Development Board entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Powerchina or the Power Construction Corporation of China to carry out a technical study to better manage the Teesta for the benefit of northern Bangladesh's greater Rangpur region.
"However, Teesta is an unresolved issue, so our people would naturally push the government to look into any fresh proposal, that may be the reason why the Chinese project on Teesta is so much talked about in the media," the foreign minister said.
Momen, Jaishankar to inaugurate River Conclave in Guwahati Saturday
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen left here for Guwahati via Kolkata on Friday to attend the third edition of the Asian Confluence flagship dialogue NADI Conclave to be held on May 28-29.
The two-day conclave will be inaugurated by foreign minister Momen, his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar and the foreign minister of Thailand, along with Himanta Biswa Sarma, chief minister of Assam in the presence of diplomats of several countries, top experts and scientists and other dignitaries.
Also read:Myanmar situation continues to remain unsafe for civilians: Bangladesh
Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will deliver the valedictory address of the conclave on May 29.
A galaxy of leaders and experts will be there in Guwahati to attend the event organized by think tank Asian Confluence, headquartered in Shillong, in collaboration with Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, the Act East Department of Government of Assam, the North Eastern Council and other partners.
The goal will be to articulate and activate a collective vision of sub-regional cooperation in the Bay of Bengal region and with South-East Asia, keeping North East India and Assam at the epicenter of activity, said the organisers.
The Bangladesh Foundation for Regional Studies is the country partner for the event and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, IIT Guwahati and Guwahati University, are knowledge partners.
NADI (Natural Allies in Development and Interdependence) recognizes the region south of Himalayas from Ganga, Brahmaputra to Mekong as a contiguity of river basins with common challenges that require close cooperation beyond their political borders.
It is also aimed at building confidence in the key role of North Eastern Indian region in taking forward India’s strategic initiative for energy and water security in the neighborhood, and the Bay of Bengal region leading towards a vibrant and secure Indo-Pacific.