DHAKA: Bangladesh achieved remarkable success in regional cooperation in 2015.

The country was given laudable applause around the globe for suppressing militancy, terrorism and also for implementing the millennium development goal (MDG) as a developing nation.

In an exclusive interview with banglanews the state minister for foreign affairs Shahriar Alam said these success stories.

The most remarkable success the country has achieved was the implementation Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) through which the people, who were stateless for long 66 years became citizens.

The state minister further said that though the issue was bilateral still it has impact regionally and globally. This is an unparallel incident in global history that such a complex problem was resolved without shedding blood or conflict. This solution of long pending LBA was done at such a time when quarrels, conflicts and mistrust were prevailing around the world.

According to Shahriar, this achievement has moved the world leaders.

‘On the basis of this confidence we have signed Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) and energy distribution deals with India, Nepal and Bhutan which is also a landmark of success.’

The minister claimed that Bangladesh has achieved remarkable ‘successes’ in the diplomatic field in 2015 and it has extended leadership in many issues.

Bangladesh has also won posts in 14 international organizations by contesting elections.

The country like its neighbors and other nations had faced many challenges but unlike many of them it has overcome them successfully.

The uncompromising stand of government against the militancy through the ‘zero tolerance’ policy of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was applauded internationally. The active participation of Bangladesh in international peacekeeping was also appreciated.

Explaining the core of foreign policy the minister said, ‘We followed the guideline we had mentioned in our election manifesto of tenth Jatiyo Sangsad election. We are going to complete two years. The government took significant steps as of the previous years in regional diplomacy’.

He also mentioned the role of Bangladesh played in reaching consensus in very important matters like connectivity and energy cooperation.

The state minister said, ‘We are among the few states in the globe which successfully attained the goals of MDG. However, he laid importance on national development program taken by the government in integrating the MDG goals’.

The state minister disclosed that sustainable development goal (SDG) has been included in the seventh five-year plan.

In reply to a question, the state minister mentioned that relations with the USA and European countries is ‘deep and broad’ than any time.

He said, ‘We are deepening our relations with these countries gradually. There were some ‘misunderstandings’ in the past with these countries but now we have made them understand’.

‘We have also successfully dispelled the anxiety and confusion about trial of crime against humanity. Now, only one country (Pakistan) is giving negative statements against this trial.’

Bangladesh will play due role against militancy and terrorism keeping cordial relations with the friendly countries.

Besides, the labor market in the Middle East will be expanded and there will be serous endeavors of the government to explore new markets for manpower.

BDST: 1445 HRS, DEC 29, 2015
Shahjahan/RR