The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury yesterday said, Bangladesh is now seen by the world community as a responsible state.

Addressing a press briefing at the State Guest House Padma here, he said," in the backdrop of the political changeover on 11 January 2007 and since the assumption of office by the present Government, we tried to implement different aspects of our foreign policy along with other policies. The broad aim of our foreign policy has been to have Bangladesh perceived as a responsible member of the international community."

Foreign secretary Touhid Hossain and Director General (EP) Nazmul Quaunine were also present.

Dr Iftekhar said, this has involved in winning the support by international actors in reform efforts of the government. "We believe with our pro-active foreign policy we have succeeded in broadly meeting their aspirations. We have tried to build up a national consensus around our goals, objectives and endeavours."

The foreign adviser hoped that future governments would get some directions from it because in foreign policy continuity is key and all including different political parties are stakeholders. In this context, he mentioned that a daylong seminar in the Foreign Ministry with retired Ambassadors and think tanks was held.

Highlighting some points related to the efforts pursued by the government both in bilateral and multilateral level Dr. Iftekhar mentioned 10 points which are:

Stabilising Bangladesh's relations with the neighbouring countries including its larger neighbour and partner, he said adding, with whom we want to live in friendship and concord, but clearly as a distinct entity.

On the sidelines of the 14th SAARC Summit, Dr Iftekhar mentioned that the Chief Adviser had a fruitful meeting with the Indian Prime Minister. Both the leaders agreed to re-activate and strengthen the existing institutional frameworks to resolve all bilateral issues, he said.

He said, he had four meetings with Indian External Affairs Minister when they discussed all the long- pending issues. Fruitful discussions were held at the Foreign, Home and Water Resources Secretaries' level, he said adding, "We tried to make India understand that, because of economic and geographic position, India has a special responsibility in the development of this entire region. The establishment of railway communication between the countries is in its final stage following the understanding reached."

The foreign adviser said, India has started to handover Bangladesh the criminals who took refuge in India.

Because of the efforts of our Government and the cooperation we received from the Indian Government, we could bring back home, after long 36 years of our independence, the remains of Shahid Hamidur Rahman-one of our gallant fighters who received our highest gallantry award - Bir Shrestha, he recalled.

Besides, he said, government was successful in bringing back home BRAC employee Nurul Islam who was abducted in Afghanistan. He said, we are liaisoning with our mission to the UN regarding the disappearing at the sea of a Bangladeshi peace keeper, Captain Rajibul Kabir.

The foreign adviser said, following repeated floods and Cyclone Sidr, Bangladesh received prompt responses from the Indian Government. Specially, the lifting of ban on export of 5 lakh MT of rice from India to Bangladesh will immensely help us, he said.

The foreign adviser also recalled his interaction with his counterparts from Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other SAARC countries during bilateral visits and at different international fora.

He said, "They also share my philosophy of simultaneous development of all the countries of the region."

Dr Iftekhar said, during his visit to Myanmar he had fruitful discussions in matters related to transport, energy and economic development. He hoped new dimension will be added to bilateral relations between the two countries in future.

The foreign adviser recalled with satisfaction as many of Dhaka's proposals were accepted during the Delhi SAARC Summit. The SAARC Car rally, SAARC Youth Camp have already been successfully completed, he said adding significant progress towards the establishment of SADF, SAARC Food Bank, South Asia University have been made.

Dr Iftekhar said, the First BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting on Poverty Alleviation' will be held in the city from 10 January. The Summit of the organisation is going to be held in New Delhi next year, he said adding, he met the Chinese Foreign Minister recently describing the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and China as excellent.

The foreign adviser said, Bangladesh participated actively in different multilateral fora throughout the last year.

Bangladesh participated, for the first time after having the status of full participant, to ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). During the ministerial meeting held in Manila, he said Bangladesh signed a defence treaty titled 'Treaty on Amity and Cooperation (TAC)'. He said, "Our next goal is to become a dialogue partner of ASEAN."

Last year, he said, a number of delegates from the European Union visited Bangladesh to see the reform efforts of the present government. They extended their support to all our efforts, Dr Iftekhar said.

He mentioned that he had represented Bangladesh during the CHOGM in Uganda highlighting the issues like 'climate change' there. During the 34th ICFM that was held in Islamabad, he called upon all to combat the so-called 'Islamophobia'-an attempt to link Islam with terrorism, which was praised by the leaders present there.

He also recalled a bilateral meeting with South Korea on the sidelines of the 6th ACD Ministerial-level meeting.

The foreign adviser said, Bangladesh always gives priority to its relations with the United States because of economic and political reasons. He said," The way they came to our help immediately after the Cyclone Sidr' - is a reflection of our excellent bilateral relations. Under the foreign aid component, a total of US$ 120 million was sought in the budget proposal of the US for the year 2008."

This marks an increase of 41% increase in bilateral aid. The anti- corruption drive of the present Government and the efforts made towards ensuring good governance will play a role in increasing US aid to Bangladesh in future, he said.

Recalling his visit to the Russian Federation last September he said, he had several meetings with the Acting Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and other leaders of Moscow. During the meetings, discussions covered about enhancing bilateral trade relations, investment and cooperation in energy sector (specially in the field of nuclear energy).

The visit at Ministerial level was a milestone since it took place after a long time, he said.

Describing the relations between Bangladesh and the UK as important for historical reasons, Dr Iftekhar said, he met the British Foreign Minister during his visit to the UK last year. Some Ministers including the International Development Minister visited Bangladesh in 2007, he said.

The British Government has been expressing its full confidence on the caretaker government, since its assumption of office in January last year, he said adding ,"They are also helping us in the voter list registration process."

Referring to Bangladesh's relations with China, he said, progress was made in Bangladesh's bilateral relations with China. Bangladesh's export to China rose to US$ 93 million, marking an increase of 69% over last year's figure, he said.

In this context, the foreign adviser said, an agreement was reached with China to construct a permanent trade centre in Dhaka.

Last year, the foreign adviser said, Japan declared to provide Bangladesh with a loan of US$ 291 million in power, railway and water resources sectors.

He said, he has been invited to visit Japan in late February this year.

Recalling his visit to Norway and Sweden in November last Year, he said, he had fruitful meetings with the Foreign and Development Cooperation Ministers of the two friendly countries.

Dr Iftekhar said, the government has been working hard for ensuring duty-free, quota-free access of Bangladesh products to the developed countries especially to the US and the European countries.

He told the newsmen that he had written to 435 US Congressmen to approve the Bill titled 'New Partnership for Development Act of 2007' that has been raised in the US Congress for the duty- free market access of garments and textile products of LDCs to the US market.

Dr Iftekhar said, the government has strengthened its efforts to send more of its labours to the countries of the Middle East, Korea, Malaysia and Japan. He said," We are giving priorities to the signing of MOUs with different countries, especially those in the Middle East to safeguard the interests of our workers there."

Last year a new window of opportunity was opened to export our manpower to Malaysia and Korea, he said. We are trying to explore new destinations like Poland and some Scandinavian countries for Bangladeshi workers, he said.

He mentioned that Oman has lifted its ban on recruitment of Bangladeshi workers that was imposed 12 years ago. The Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of Qatar will visit Bangladesh in this month. Dr Iftekhar said, like previous years, the government was careful in attracting foreign investment this year as well.

However, he said, due to two rounds of flood and cyclone Sidr, it was not possible this year to achieve the goal in this area.

The foreign adviser informed newsmen that Bangladesh would participate for the first time in the World Economic Forum at Davos in Switzerland. He said, the Chief Adviser would explain the investment atmosphere in Bangladesh to the participating businessmen, international investors and the representatives of different countries and would urge them to invest in Bangladesh.

Dr Iftekhar said, Bangladesh was elected the Chair of LDC Coordinating Bureau in New York in September last. Since then, he said, we have remained active to project the demands of all developing countries including Bangladesh in all multilateral forums including the World Trade Organisation.

Last year, Bangladesh has strongly appealed in all international forums to ensure the unhindered movement of labour under the Mode IV of GATS, he said.

The foreign adviser said, Bangladesh has always condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and has aligned herself with the international community in all their efforts to eradicate terrorism.

Bangladesh, he said, has become a state- party to the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism last year, he said adding with the signing of it, Bangladesh has become state-party to all the thirteen international conventions relating to eradication of terrorism.

Bangladesh has also acceded to the United Nations Convention against Corruption in February 2007, he said adding Dhaka has also ratified the latest Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in November last year.

Dr Iftekhar said, Bangladesh remained careful in realising its constitutional commitment with regard to protection and promotion of human rights for all the citizens. Our commitment has been reflected in our decision to set up the National Human Rights Commission, he said adding although a State of Emergency is in place in the country, the current Caretaker Government has put emphasis more than ever before to promote and protect human rights and has remained vigilant on human rights abuses.

Bangladesh has been actively participating in the activities of the reconstituted United Nations Human Rights Council, he said. Bangladesh participated at the High Level UN Meeting on Climate Change held at Bali in Indonesia and took the lead in projecting the interests of the least developed countries.

He said so far, more than 62 thousand Bangladeshis have participated in different peacekeeping activities of the UN. He said, though the number and manpower of peacekeeping mission of the UN have been reduced, the position of Bangladesh remains prominent.

Bangladesh, the adviser said, will participate in the UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur adding Bangladesh is playing an important role as an active member of the Peace building Commission.

Dr Iftekhar said, Bangladesh is well ahead of other developing countries in implementing creative models of economic development. He said, Bangladesh is a model for other developing countries as regards micro-credit, women empowerment, health and education.

The foreign adviser said, approximately an amount of US$ 650 million of relief assistance including pledges have been received from different countries and international organisations for relief and rehabilitation activities following floods and cyclone. Besides, approximately an amount of 36 crore taka have been received from expatriate Bangladeshis and other individuals, he said.

Responding to some questions the foreign adviser said, in ready made garments Bangladesh scored a huge success. He told a questioner that at least for next three months Bangladeshis would continue to go to Malaysia.

Replying to a question on introduction of Bangladesh-India trains service, he said, the line ministry could give the just answer to the question.

Answering another query on cancellation of despatch of artefacts to France for exhibition, he said, such decision would not affect diplomatic relations between the two countries.

He told another reporter that Bangladeshis themselves will be in the driving seat.