Secretary General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn has assured of extending full support to Bangladesh’s endeavor of becoming the Sectoral Dialogue Partner (SDP) of ASEAN.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen held a meeting with Dr Kao Kim Hourn in Jakarta, Indonesia on the sidelines of the 30th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) recently and requested ASEAN to assist and expedite Bangladesh’s bid to be a Sectoral Dialogue Partner (SDP) of ASEAN.

They discussed the issues of mutual interests and expressed hope of exploring avenues of further engagements and cooperation in the coming days, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Foreign Minister Momen shared the concerns of Bangladesh on the issue of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar nationals and 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 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 Momen mentioned that Bangladesh is now internationally recognized as a role model for development.

He also 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, Momen said.

He 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”.

Momen discussed 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, the Foreign Minister 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.

Talks with Indonesia

Foreign Minister Momen held a bilateral meeting with Retno L.P. Marsudi, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia during his three-day visit to Jakarta to attend the 30th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

Apprising Indonesian counterpart about the current progress of bilateral engagement on Rohingya repatriation, Foreign Minister Momen requested Indonesia, as a current Chair of ASEAN, to play more proactive role by involving ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance to expedite the speedy, safe dignified and voluntary repatriation of the forcibly displaced people to Myanmar.

He also solicited strong support of Indonesia by influencing other ASEAN Member States to make consensus in favour of Bangladesh’s candidacy for attaining Sectoral Dialogue Partner (SDP) status of ASEAN in next ASEAN Summit to be held in September this year.

In addition, he stressed the necessity of direct air connectivity between Bangladesh and Indonesia as well as requested to grant Visa on Arrival in favor of Bangladeshi ordinary passport holders at entry points in Indonesia.

Moreover, he invited the Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.

Cooperation with Malaysia

Foreign Minister Momen met Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia on the sideline of 30th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

The meeting reviewed the whole gamut of the existing excellent bilateral relations, and the Foreign Ministers renewed their commitment to further solidifying the relation.

Foreign Minister Momen, appreciating the signing of agreement on workforce, said that recruitment of agencies is fully under the jurisdiction of the Malaysian government and he requested them to ensure that poor people must not be exploited.

Moreover, he stressed enhancing cooperation in different sectors, particularly in trade, energy, agro-processing industries, pharmaceuticals, ICT and investment in the 100 Special Economic Zones of Bangladesh.

By thanking the Malaysian government for extending support to Gambia and informing the recent progress on the Rohingya issue, he urged for a stronger voice of Malaysia in various regional and international fora for bringing a sustainable solution to the protracted Rohingya crisis by expediting safe and dignified repatriation.

He also sought the support of Malaysia in favour of Bangladesh’s bid to be a Sectoral Dialogue Partner (SDP) of ASEAN. In conclusion, the Foreign Minister invited his counterpart to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.

Discussion with Cambodia

Foreign Minister Momen met with Prak Sokhonn, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia in Jakarta, Indonesia on the sidelines of 30th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

They discussed the issues of mutual interest, reasserting their commitment to further strengthening the relations between Bangladesh and Cambodia in future.

During the meeting, Foreign Minister shared the concerns of Bangladesh on the issue of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar nationals and urges more coordinated and proactive support of ASEAN countries for persuading Myanmar for creating a conducive environment for an early, safe and dignified repatriation of more than 1.2 million Myanmar nationals from Bangladesh.

He also sought the support of Cambodia in expediting Bangladesh’s candidacy for becoming a Sectoral Dialogue Partner (SDP) of ASEAN.

Informing his Cambodian counterpart about Bangladesh’s 100 Special Economic Zone (SEZ), he stressed accelerating bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, agriculture, agro-processing industry, contact farming, infrastructure development, pharmaceuticals, air connectivity, ICT etc.

The two countries agreed to enhance cooperation by signing and renewing of MOU and free trade agreements, increasing people to people exchange and strengthening collaboration in trade and investments.