Dhaka to further strengthen ties with Asean countries

Says Dipu Moni, Staff Correspondent The Daily Star

Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni yesterday said Bangladesh would further strengthen its ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) countries.

She said the proposed link road through Myanmar would be helpful in increasing political, economic and cultural relations with the South-East Asian countries.

She said this when the heads of the missions of the ASEAN countries paid a courtesy call on the minister at the foreign ministry yesterday.

Ambassador of Myanmar U Phae Thann Oo, Ambassador of Thailand Chalermpol Thanchitt, Ambassador of Philippines Zenaida Tacorda-Rabago, Ambassador of Brunei Haji Abdul Rajzak bin Haji Mohd Hussaini, Singapore Consul General Tan Kok Nam, Indonesian Charge d' Affaires Tri Surya and acting High Commissioner of Malaysia Hamizan bin Hashim were present.

Mohammad Enayet Hossain, director general of the South Asia Cell of the foreign ministry, was also present.

The foreign minister said, “Our relation with the South-East Asian countries dates long back. Common culture and values and similar aspirations of the peoples have strengthened the relation further. We are determined to take the relation to a new level.”

The relation between Saarc and Asean is getting stronger day by day. Both alliances have immense potential. If Saarc and Asean work together utilising this potential it would be helpful for improving the quality of the lives of 180 crore people of the region, she added.

The foreign minister also mentioned of the Mekong-Ganges Cooperation Initiative.

“As a down riparian country of the Ganges, Bangladesh has the right to participate in this initiative. We will also have to work together to survive the prevailing world economic crisis,” she said.

She added that Bangladesh has been playing a significant role in different international forums, including for promoting peace.

The envoys of the Asean countries invited the foreign minister to visit their respective countries.