Diplomatic Correspondent :
The international community on Thursday assured Bangladesh of continuing its support to achieve the country’s development goals ensuring its peace, progress and prosperity.
Dean of Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of Vatican to Bangladesh Archbishop George Kocherry on Thursday said “We have promised that we will provide our supports and cooperation for the development of Bangladesh. We want its progress, prosperity and peace. So, whatever we can we will do.”
George Kocherry conveyed it to Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on behalf all diplomats stationed in Dhaka during a briefing at State Guesthouse Padma here on Thursday afternoon.
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps took the floor on behalf of all and congratulated the Foreign Minister and the State Minister for their success in the election.
Heads of Diplomatic missions of different countries including US, UK German, France, India, China and Netherlands, and UN agencies joined the briefing at the State Guest House ‘Padma’ in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon.
The Foreign Minister invited them to brief them about the future plan of Bangladesh.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, Foreign Secretary
M Shahidul Haque and other senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also present at the briefing.
Ambassador Kocherry said Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen shared his Ministry’s plan, including Rohingya issue and economic diplomacy.
‘I would say it’s a friendly talk to get to know each other. He was telling his plan and how he can promote the name and fame of Bangladesh in the international field,’ he said.
Responding to a question, the Dean of Diplomatic Corps said the Foreign Minister mentioned the Rohingya issue as one of the ‘serious’ issues Bangladesh is facing now.
Bangladesh is giving much importance to economic diplomacy and the issue of also came up in the briefing apart from other issues.
The Vatican envoy said there was no question-answer but the Foreign Minister only explained his plan and he, on behalf of all diplomats, expressed gratitude and congratulated the new Foreign Minister. ‘That’s all.’
This was the first such briefing after the 11th parliamentary election and formation of the new government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the third consecutive term.
The maiden briefing of the Foreign Minister was attended by 55 members of the diplomatic community, including Ambassadors, High Commissioners, Consul General of all the foreign missions and representatives from the UN Offices based in Dhaka.
The Foreign Minister sought cooperation from the international community in fulfilling election manifesto of the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Momen referred to the achievements made by the government of Sheikh Hasina over the last decade in the field of poverty alleviation, improvement of maternal and child health, sanitation, foreign reserve and infrastructure development.
He stated that the government would continue its journey towards achieving its development agenda, articulated in Vision 2021, Agenda 2030 and Vision 2041 through successful application of economic diplomacy.
He sought support, cooperation, collaboration and partnership of all the members present at the briefing to build the Sonar Bangla (Golden Bengal) as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The Foreign Minister reiterated Prime Minister’s vow to eliminate ‘corruption’ and ensure governance in Bangladesh by maintaining a strong policy of ‘zero tolerance’.
He also solicited international community’s cooperation in the field of trade and investment, public-private partnership, empowerment of youth and women.
Referring to the UN GA resolutions sponsored by Bangladesh on People’s Empowerment and Development, Culture of Peace and Autism Awareness, he stressed the continued focus of Bangladesh is establishing and maintaining peace and stability in the world. He also expressed his interest to foster regional cooperation.
On Rohingya issue, the Foreign Minister thanked the International community for their support and expressed expectation that the international Community would continue to play a constructive role in resolving the Rohingya crisis which lies in their safe, sustainable and dignified return to Myanmar.
The State Minister stated that the new government wants to build on the success achieved so far and expressed his hope that in the coming days the cooperation from the friends and partners would be stronger, wider and deeper.
