Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Bangladeshi-American professionals prime movers in shaping Dhaka-Washington ties: Faruk Khan
Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Muhammad Faruk Khan has termed the Bangladeshi-American professionals the prime movers in shaping the relationship between the two countries.
He made the remarks while exchanging views with Bangladeshi-American professionals from the greater Washington DC area on Saturday.
The Parliamentary delegation members sought their active participation to further bolster relations between Dhaka and Washington.
Also read: Launch cyber battle against anti-Bangladesh propaganda: Faruk KhanThe professionals which included academics and intellectuals in their remarks put forward various suggestions to further advance Dhaka-Washington ties and cooperation, according to a message received from Washington on Sunday.Faruk Khan put emphasis on holding such meetings regularly and also sought the advices of the Bangladeshi-American professionals for further development of the country.Other members of the delegation Nurul Islam Nahid, Nahim Razzaq and Kazi Nabil Ahmed also spoke at the meeting.Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA M Shahidul Islam briefed about the steps of the Embassy for further expanding ties and cooperation between Dhaka and Washington. Officials of the Embassy were present on the occasion.
Also read: Bangladesh wants fair prices for its products in European marketThe delegation is scheduled to leave Washington for Dhaka tomorrow morning wrapping up their five-day visit to the USA.
US lawmakers keen to further strengthen Washington-Dhaka ties
US Senator Ted Cruz (Republican-Texas) and Congressman Steve Chabot (Republican-Ohio) have expressed their willingness to facilitate further strengthening Dhaka-Washington relations.
They said this during separate meetings with a four-member delegation from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led by its Chairman Muhammad Faruk Khan.
Other members of the team were Nurul Islam Nahid, Nahim Razzak; and Kazi Nabil Ahmed, according to a message received here from Bangladesh mission in Washington on Thursday.
Also read:US keen to deepen ties with Bangladesh: Ambassador Haas
The meetings took place on Wednesday at the respective offices of the senator and the congressman at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M Shahidul Islam and embassy officials were present in the meetings.
During the meetings, the Parliamentary delegation briefed the US lawmakers on Bangladesh’s impressive socio-economic development that has taken place under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Deportation of Rashed Chowdhury and sanctions on RAB
The delegation reiterated Bangladesh’s request for the deportation of Rashed Chowdhury, the self-confessed killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
They also sought the US lawmakers’ support for lifting US sanctions on the RAB, which is making tremendous contributions to the fight against extremism, terrorism, and cross-border crimes, including drugs and human trafficking.
The delegation highlighted Bangladesh’s sustained economic growth, efficient COVID-19 management and measures to improve democratic governance.
The Bangladeshi lawmakers acknowledged US humanitarian and political support to cope with more than one million displaced Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh, and requested the US lawmakers to persuade Myanmar in all possible ways to create a safe environment in Rakhine State to ensure safe and voluntary return to their homeland in Myanmar.
The US lawmakers commended Bangladesh’s generosity in hosting this huge number of Rohingyas and said that they would continue their efforts to address the Rohingya issue.
The Bangladesh delegation also appreciated the US government’s donation of 64 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Bangladesh.
US keen to deepen ties with Bangladesh: Ambassador Haas
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Hass on Wednesday expressed his country’s willingness to deepening ties with Bangladesh as the two countries discussed “action oriented” issues to that end.
"We had a conversation about how we can continue moving our relationships forward and how we can (have) action oriented deepening relationship,” he said.
The US Ambassador made the remarks while talking to reporters after his meeting with foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bangladesh and the US had a series of bilateral dialogues at different levels this year.
During his meeting with Masud, Ambassador Haas said they talked about the “totality” of the bilateral issues between the US and Bangladesh and how the two countries can move forward.
The Ambassador said they also discussed issues related to all bilateral dialogues between the two countries held in past couple of months.
They also talked about the upcoming Bangladesh-US high level economic forum to be held in Washington in the first week of next month.
Bangladesh and the US plan to form a monitoring mechanism for addressing the challenges and pending issues.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said Bangladesh has such a monitoring mechanism with many countries.
"I don't see any problem with that in principle. It is important to see the progress of the dialogues from time to time," the Foreign Secretary told reporters after his meeting with the US envoy.
DCAB celebrates International Women’s Day amid calls for gender equality
Speakers at a function here on Tuesday laid emphasis on paying utmost attention to gender equality and keep talking on the barriers to ensure that no one is left behind.
They highlighted the urgency of working together for equality everyday which is good for society and economic growth when everyone desires a more sustainable tomorrow.
Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) hosted the event at the Foreign Service Academy auditorium marking the International Women’s Day.
Read:DCAB pays tribute to Bangabandhu at Dhanmondi 32
Secretary (East) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mashfee Binte Shams spoke as the chief guest at the event while Ambassador of Switzerland Nathalie Chuard and Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh Alexandra Berg von Linde spoke as special guests.
Additional Foreign Secretary and Rector of FSA Asad Alam Siam, Chief of Protocol M Amanul Haq, Director General (Public Diplomacy wing) Mohammad Harun Al Rashid and DG (Consular & Welfare Wing) Seheli Sabrin, among others, joined the event.
Nazmul Islam new Bangladesh Ambassador to Oman
The government has appointed Md. Nazmul Islam, currently serving as the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Sweden, as the next Ambassador of Bangladesh to Oman.
Ambassador-designate Nazmul Islam is a career diplomat belonging to the 15th batch of BCS (Foreign Affairs) cadre, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
Read:Bangladesh-UK Partnership: Experts to discuss priority climate actions Friday
In his diplomatic career, he served at Bangladesh Missions in Jeddah, Beijing, Jakarta and London in various capacities.
Ambassador Nazmul Islam did his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET).
He also completed several professional training courses both at home and abroad.
Dhaka issues helpline numbers for Bangladeshis stranded in Ukraine
Bangladesh has asked its nationals stranded in Ukraine to contact the country's diplomatic missions in the neighbouring European countries while Poland and Romania came forward to provide temporary shelters for Bangladeshis.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday issued helpline numbers for the stranded Bangladeshi nationals to help them get into Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Moldova, all bordering Ukraine.
For Slovakia and Hungary, Bangladesh nationals have been asked to get in touch with the Bangladesh Embassy in Austria.
They can reach Rahat Bin Zaman, Deputy Chief of Mission on +43 688 60344492 and Jubayadul H Chowdhury on +43 688 60603068 in Vienna.
For Romania and Moldova, people in distress can get in touch with the Bangladesh Embassy in Romania, Bucharest: (i) +40 (742) 553 809, (ii) Mir Mehedi Hasan (tel & WhatsApp group) +40 (742) 553 809.
For Poland, they can contact the following people at the Bangladesh Embassy in Warsaw -- Md Masudur Rahman, +48 739 527 722: Md Mahbubur Rahman, +48 579 262 403; MST Farhana Yesmin, +48 690 282 561; Billal Hossain, +48 739 634 125; and Md Rabbani, +48 696 745 903.
Poland has "opened its border with Ukraine" to let in Bangladeshi nationals from the neighbouring country in the wake of a Russian invasion.
Bangladesh citizens carrying passports can secure a travel pass at the border to enter Poland without a visa, but they need to carry two colour passport-sized photos with them, the Bangladesh Embassy in Warsaw said in a notification on Friday.
Bangladesh does not currently have an embassy or a consulate in Ukraine. The country's Embassy in Poland only acts as Ukraine's de-facto diplomatic mission.
Read:Poland 'to let in stranded Bangladeshi nationals from Ukraine'
A team from the Embassy in Warsaw will also reach the Poland-Ukraine border on Saturday to assist Bangladeshi citizens wishing to enter Poland. The countries share an over 500km-long border.
Rear Admiral Azad new Bangladesh envoy to Maldives
The government has appointed Rear Admiral S M Abul Kalam Azad as the new High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the Republic of Maldives.
Rear Admiral Azad was commissioned in the Bangladesh Navy on July 1, 1987, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.
In his long and distinguished career, he has served in various staff, instructional and command appointments at different levels.
Read:Bangladesh calls for addressing root causes of climate-induced displacement
He received the prestigious "Nou Gaurab Padak" for his professional excellence and exceptional service in the Bangladesh Navy.
Before joining the Foreign Ministry, he was serving as the Commander of Bangladesh Navy Fleet.
Rear Admiral Azad is married to Naomee Nahreen and blessed with a son and a daughter.
Bangladesh reiterates call to Canada for deportation of killer Nur Chy
Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls has said she will convey to her government Bangladesh's request to deport Nur Chowdhury, the self-confessed and convicted killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
“The issue was raised (by Bangladesh) and we understand it’s an important issue for Bangladesh. I’ll convey this to my capital,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday afternoon after her meeting with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen held at the latter's office.
Read:Bangladesh pushes for killer Nur Chy’s deportation from Canada
Bangladesh, being a time-tested partner of Canada, reiterated its long-standing request for the deportation of Bangabandhu's killer, Momen said.
While talking to reporters in the evening, Momen said he the envoy that Canada should not be a refuge for the murderers and urged the Canadian government to deport the killer.
“This killer has been living in Canada as a fugitive for close to thirty years. Canada being known as the proponent for promotion and protection of human rights, and rule of law, the two countries can work together to agree on some modalities for the deportation of this heinous killer and flagrant violator of human rights,” said Momen in a recent message.
Closely following developments related to Ukraine: Dhaka
Bangladesh has said it is closely observing the developments in relation to Ukraine.
"Bangladesh believes that peace, stability and development of the region and beyond depend on the resolution of this crisis in a peaceful manner which is only possible through dialogue and discussions among the parties involved," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.
Read: MoFA trashes reports on learning centre closure in Rohingya camps
Bangladesh urged all parties to continue their diplomatic efforts towards resolving this crisis, upholding the spirit of dialogue and cooperation.
Info on engaging lobbyists by BNP shared with EC, BB
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent preliminary information to the Election Commission regarding the hiring of lobbyists by BNP in the United States and subsequent expenditure of US$ 3.75 million for the purpose. The relevant documents have also been shared with the Bangladesh Bank for further scrutiny,State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam told UNB on Wednesday.
Read:BNP shrugs off allegation of hiring lobbyistsHe wrote to the Election Commission as there is a provision in the political parties registration rules for submitting a statement on income and expenditure of each political party.Since the agreements were signed using BNP's central office address, the State Minister requested the EC to confirm from which account the money was sent and whether it had been recorded or the audited report had been submitted for that period. On Tuesday, the State Minister said Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) spent at least US$ 3.75 million on lobbyists and shared relevant documents with the media which are also available in public domain.He said they have so far eight agreements in hand and at least three agreements show BNP’s central office address.One of the agreements was signed with Blue Strategies, LLC in Washington for a period - September 2018 to May 2020, Shahriar said.The State Minister said BNP and Jamaat are two sides of the same coin and mentioned that they found Jamaat’s names in the contents of four documents.
Read:AL govt did never engage lobbyist, no plan to do either: Shahriar“I’m sure there are more beyond these agreements,” he said, suggesting journalists to do investigative journalism.The State Minister said there is nothing wrong in engaging a lobbyist but it is not good to hide the fact and act against the interest of Bangladesh and its people.