Momen urges expediting Bangladesh’s bid for ASEAN’s Sectoral Dialogue Partner

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Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has requested

ASEAN to assist and expedite Bangladesh’s bid to be its Sectoral Dialogue

Partner (SDP).

He made the appeal while holding a bilateral meeting with ASEAN Secretary

General Dr Kao Kim Hourn in Jakarta, Indonesia on 14 July at the sidelines of

the 30th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), a foreign ministry’s press release said

here today.

In reply, the Secretary General assured of extending full support to

Bangladesh’s endeavor of becoming the Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN.

Bangladesh foreign minister said being located between ASEAN and SAARC,

Bangladesh provides a lot of opportunities and potentials to furthering

trade, investment and wide economic relations with the ASEAN countries.

Bangladesh can play a pivotal role in bridging these two important regions,

if the status of Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN is obtained, Dr Momen

observed.

During the meeting, they also discussed the issues of mutual interests and

expressed hope of exploring avenues of further engagements and cooperation in

the coming days.

The foreign minister urged ASEAN for more coordinated and proactive support

to create a congenial atmosphere for an early, safe and dignified

repatriation of more than 1.2 million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals

from Bangladesh.

Describing the impressive socio-economic developments of Bangladesh under the

dynamic and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina over the

last 14 years, foreign minister mentioned that Bangladesh is now

internationally recognized as a role model for development.

Momen also informed the ASEAN Secretary General that Bangladesh wants to

arrange a diplomatic training course for the diplomats from ASEAN Member

States entitled as “Enhancing Engagement between Bangladesh and the ASEAN

Region for Young/Mid-career Diplomats from ASEAN Countries”.

He also discussed about the Youth Exchange Program between Bangladesh and the

ASEAN Countries every year.

Apprising that Bangladesh has been playing an active role in ARF, since

becoming a member of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in 2006, Dr Momen said,

Bangladesh is strongly committed to the guiding principles of the Forum to

foster constructive dialogue and consultation on political and security

issues of common interests and concerns as well as to make significant

contributions to the efforts towards confidence-building and preventive

diplomacy in the Asia-Pacific region.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha