BD keen to intensify ties with the ASEAN countries: Momen

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said that Bangladesh is keen to intensify political, trade, economic and cultural connectivity with the ASEAN countries and wants to develop sectoral cooperation.

He said this while addressing an event organized by the ASEAN Dhaka Committee in observance of the 54th ASEAN Day on Sunday (Aug 8). Under the national Chairmanship of Brunei Darussalam, the theme for 2021 is “We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper”.

Momen said that having a strong tie with the ASEAN countries is by any standard a key Foreign Policy priority of the Government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. With a large manufacturing base, Bangladesh stands to be one of ASEAN’s strongest partners and an attractive destination for the ASEAN investors.

The Bangladesh Foreign Minister suggested that among the priority issues in which Bangladesh and ASEAN countries can forge partnership are: poverty alleviation, counter-terrorism, climate change, water resources management, migration, disaster management, agriculture and ICT.

Given geographic proximity, historical linkages, civilizational commonalities and contemporary convergence of views, Momen said Bangladesh believes that it can be one of ASEAN’s strongest partners.

“Bangladesh, which itself is one of the fastest growing economies of the Asia Pacific region and has a rapidly growing middle class, can be a huge market for the ASEAN countries,” he said adding that with its large manufacturing base, Bangladesh can also be a source of competitive imports for the ASEAN countries.

He said Bangladesh can be an attractive destination for ASEAN investors, who are looking for good returns on their investment. With its unique geographical location, Bangladesh can act as a “bridge” between South Asia and South East Asia acting as a gateway to the land locked countries of Nepal, Bhutan and Northeast India for the ASEAN countries.

While the ASEAN member countries sit in the extended neighborhood of Bangladesh, the country links up ASEAN with a vast market of South Asia.

On the Rohingya repatriation issue, Momen said that the prolonged presence of such a huge number displaced people entails serious ramifications for the socio-political stability of not only Bangladesh but also of the entire region including the ASEAN.

“Out of a humanitarian consideration Bangladesh is sheltering to 1.1 million Myanmar nationals who were forcibly evicted from their homeland,” the Bangladesh Foreign Minister said and sought intervention from the ASEAN for a speedy repatriation of the Rohingyas to their motherland.

He said Myanmar has agreed to take back their displaced people from Bangladesh and provide them safety and security and also to create a conducive environment in the Rakhaine State for their return.

For the last 4 years, Momen said there is no violence in the Rakhaine State yet none of them displaced people of Myanmar returned to their homes mostly because of fear of uncertainty and trust defect.

In this context, he said ASEAN should walk together to reduce their trust and uncertainty and facilitate their safe repatriation. The prolonged presence of such a huge number of displaced people entails serious ramification on the economy, environment, security, and socio-political stability of not only Bangladesh but the entire region including the ASEAN.

“We need to make a tangible progress in terms of a safe, secure and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland, Myanmar.”

The Foreign Minister mentioned that ASEAN is standing at a crossroad of previous success and future opportunities.

“Bangladesh considers it is crucial to maintain regional peace, stability and security if the region is to attain full potential. Bangladesh is willing to work with ASEAN for the betterment of the people of this entire region and to attain the shared vision of future prosperity.”

The Foreign Minister also sought support from the ASEAN countries on Bangladesh’s application for the status of ASEAN Sectoral Partner.

Chair of the ASEAN Dhaka Committee (ADC), the High Commissioner of Malaysia to Bangladesh Ms. Haznah Md. Hashim, the High Commissioner of Brunei to Bangladesh Haji Haris Haji Othman and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen also addressed at the event. Rina P. Soemarno, Ambassador of Indonesia,

Aung Kyaw Moe, Ambassador of Myanmar, Pham Viet Chien, Ambassador of Vietnam, Panom

Thongprayoon, Chargé d’Affaires Thai Embassy, Leo Marco C. Vidal, Chargé d’Affaires of the Philippines, Sheela Pillai, Head of Mission of the Singapore Consulate, Dhaka were present.

In her speech, the current Chair of ADC, highlighted the achievement of ASEAN, after 54 years since its establishment, in bringing peace and prosperity to the region, and that ASEAN has been working together in finding a sustainable response to the current pandemic.

She further reiterated the significance of ASEAN-Bangladesh relations, and that the ADC will continue to play an active and constructive role as the bridge for the ASEAN Member States in engaging the host government.