Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali said the recent visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Beijing and Moscow should not be interpreted as a shift in the foreign policy.
He said this at an interview published at London-based Financial Times this week.
“Bangladesh maintains an independent and non-aligned position in its foreign relations with the objective of achieving global peace.”
Mahmood said during the visit of Sheikh Hasina to Moscow in 2013 tens of agreements and memoranda of understanding were signed in the field of nuclear energy, oil and gas exploration and cooperation in the fields of science and space.
Similarly, the premier-level visits to Beijing in 2010 and in 2015 have deepened bilateral relations with China in the areas of investment, trade and commerce and expanded cooperation and partnership in all areas including economic, scientific and technical.
“In the same spirit and speed, our relationship with West, particularly with the United States and Europe, has flourished in all dimensions.”
Responding to a question on new regime in Myanmar, the foreign minister said Bangladesh wants to avail of opportunity to work closely with the new government of Myanmar to develop a deep mutual respect for each other’s people and cultures and make the bilateral relations multi-layered and interdependent.
There exists significant potential for bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and regional road connectivity, he said.
Both Bangladesh and Myanmar are active partners in Bimstec and BCIM-EC initiatives and Bangladesh would like to work hand in hand with Myanmar in realising the objectives of these regional initiatives, he added.
“Besides taking practical steps to increase volume of bilateral trade, we hope to increase bilateral cooperation in combating drug smuggling, gun running and human trafficking along the border.”
Myanmar is the only other neighbour of Bangladesh, and the gateway for Bangladesh to Southeast and East Asia. Mahmood said the last general election held in last November was no doubt an important landmark in Myanmar’s historic journey to become a functioning democracy.