UNB, Dhaka :
Highlighting Bangladesh’s ‘strong presence’ in global arena, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam has laid emphasis on ‘assessing’ and ‘addressing’ internationally emerging security challenges properly domestically and with Bangladesh’s foreign friends.
“We need to look at whether countries, including Bangladesh and its neighbours, are able to assess security situation properly based on reality,” he told a small group of journalists at his office on Thursday focusing on challenges ahead and achievements made in the outgoing year.
Recapping the situation after the killing of two foreign nationals, the State Minister said the situation has largely been changed, and many will agree that no one can fully be satisfied on security issue.
“It’s a quick evolving thing. To bring this realisation among all (including foreign friends) also falls within our responsibility,” Shahriar said. Asked about confusion regarding Saudi-led initiative to counter terrorism and violent extremism, the State Minister said they shared what they had based on
‘primary information’ came from the Saudi government.
“It’s a centre that’s still evolving. The first meeting (among 34 members) is yet to take place. Things will be clear once the first meeting is held,” said the State Minister. Though Bangladesh calls it as ‘centre’ the international media described it ‘Saudi-led military alliance’ to fight terrorism.
Pakistan’s denial mood on genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 War of Liberation and withdrawal of its female diplomat following her reported involvement in financing militancy are two major events in the outgoing year. The Sate Minister, however, did not want to talk on the issues afresh.
Listing achievements of the outgoing year, Shahriar said implementation the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) allowing tens of thousands of people living in border enclaves to choose their nationality after decades of stateless limbo is the biggest success of the year – 2015.
“Though it was a bilateral issue, I would rather term it a regional success having impact globally. It has given a shake to the world leaders as LBA was implemented peacefully without any tension, conflict and bloodshed,” he said adding that such settlement of a long-pending issue is rare in the world history.
Evaluating overall performance of the year 2015, the State Minister said the government is ending a ‘successful year’ Bangladesh has showed its leadership role in global issues. Responding to a question on Bangladesh’s relations with the USA and European countries, Shahriar said the relations are very good and mentioned that the ties are now deeper and wider than anytime in the past.
“Our engagement with them is growing and we have been able to make them understand the ground reality though there was deficit of that in the past,” he added. Addressing criticisms by the international community on war criminals trial has also been viewed as a success of the government. The State Minister said only one country – Pakistan – reacted negatively this time.
Ensuring quality basic services for the Bangladesh expatriate community by the Bangladesh missions aboard still remains a challenge. “It’s a challenge. Sometimes, we receive allegations that expatriates are not getting proper services. It’s unexpected and no way acceptable,” said the State Minister adding that the government has taken proper steps to address the matter.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s ‘strong presence’ in global arena, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam has laid emphasis on ‘assessing’ and ‘addressing’ internationally emerging security challenges properly domestically and with Bangladesh’s foreign friends.
“We need to look at whether countries, including Bangladesh and its neighbours, are able to assess security situation properly based on reality,” he told a small group of journalists at his office on Thursday focusing on challenges ahead and achievements made in the outgoing year.
Recapping the situation after the killing of two foreign nationals, the State Minister said the situation has largely been changed, and many will agree that no one can fully be satisfied on security issue.
“It’s a quick evolving thing. To bring this realisation among all (including foreign friends) also falls within our responsibility,” Shahriar said. Asked about confusion regarding Saudi-led initiative to counter terrorism and violent extremism, the State Minister said they shared what they had based on
‘primary information’ came from the Saudi government.
“It’s a centre that’s still evolving. The first meeting (among 34 members) is yet to take place. Things will be clear once the first meeting is held,” said the State Minister. Though Bangladesh calls it as ‘centre’ the international media described it ‘Saudi-led military alliance’ to fight terrorism.
Pakistan’s denial mood on genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 War of Liberation and withdrawal of its female diplomat following her reported involvement in financing militancy are two major events in the outgoing year. The Sate Minister, however, did not want to talk on the issues afresh.
Listing achievements of the outgoing year, Shahriar said implementation the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) allowing tens of thousands of people living in border enclaves to choose their nationality after decades of stateless limbo is the biggest success of the year – 2015.
“Though it was a bilateral issue, I would rather term it a regional success having impact globally. It has given a shake to the world leaders as LBA was implemented peacefully without any tension, conflict and bloodshed,” he said adding that such settlement of a long-pending issue is rare in the world history.
Evaluating overall performance of the year 2015, the State Minister said the government is ending a ‘successful year’ Bangladesh has showed its leadership role in global issues. Responding to a question on Bangladesh’s relations with the USA and European countries, Shahriar said the relations are very good and mentioned that the ties are now deeper and wider than anytime in the past.
“Our engagement with them is growing and we have been able to make them understand the ground reality though there was deficit of that in the past,” he added. Addressing criticisms by the international community on war criminals trial has also been viewed as a success of the government. The State Minister said only one country – Pakistan – reacted negatively this time.
Ensuring quality basic services for the Bangladesh expatriate community by the Bangladesh missions aboard still remains a challenge. “It’s a challenge. Sometimes, we receive allegations that expatriates are not getting proper services. It’s unexpected and no way acceptable,” said the State Minister adding that the government has taken proper steps to address the matter.
