Bangladesh seeks proactive coop of ASEAN countries

Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh has sought proactive cooperation of ASEAN including Thailand to keep continued pressure on Myanmar for starting the repatriation process of the persecuted Rohingyas to their homeland.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday made the request during the reception hosted, on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee of Diplomatic Ties, by the Royal Thai Embassy, Dhaka.
Among other distinguished guests and diplomats, Ambassador of Thailand Makawadee Sumitmor, was present as the host of the event.
Foreign Minister Momen said the Rohingya issue has become a longstanding problem which is now afflicting this region.
“Out of humanitarian considerations, Bangladesh has been sheltering for the last five years 1.2 million Myanmar nationals who were subjected to forcible displacement. The heavy burden of sheltering such a huge number of displaced people has become acutely unsustainable for Bangladesh,” he added.
“We seek a more proactive role of the ASEAN member states, including Thailand, for an expeditious repatriation of these Myanmar nationals to their homeland,” he stressed.
The Foreign Minister also urged the private sectors to create stronger synergies in order to tap into the unutilised potentials for the mutual benefit of the two robust economies. Recalling Bangladesh relations with the ASEAN countries, Momen said, “Bangladesh shares a common agendaBangladesh seeks
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with ASEAN countries for a sustainable economic prosperity in our region, where peace, security and stability will prevail.”
“Bangladesh wishes to intensify political, trade, economic and cultural connectivity with the ASEAN. We seek Thailand’s support for Bangladesh’s bid to become ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner, preferably by this year,” he pointed out.
About the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Thailand, the Foreign Minister said, “Since establishment of diplomatic ties, the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Thailand have flourished steadily.”
“The solid foundations of our bilateral relations today, I dare say, have truly paved the way for our centenary celebrations and beyond in future,” he said.
He also said that the strong bilateral relations between the two friendly countries evolved through mutual respect and commonalities of values and shared interest.
“The bilateral relations have diversified in various fields including trade, investment, agriculture, education, health, tourism and connectivity. Our shared commitment to development and international peace and security has brought the two countries closer in many areas of mutual interest. Both of our countries have significant potential to evolve as facilitators of greater connectivity between South Asia and South East Asia,” he added.
Marking the event of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Thailand, he recalled with deep gratitude Thailand’s gracious recognition of independent Bangladesh in 1972, as one of the first ASEAN countries to do so.