POBNEWS24, Dhaka, Apr 5, 2022 : Foreign Minister. AK Abdul Momen said that the diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and the United States were strengthened through the visit of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the United States in October 1974 and his meeting with the then US President. Since then, mutual cooperation with the United States has been expanding to meet the common objectives of our foreign policy, both bilaterally and globally. The Foreign Minister was speaking as the chief guest at the 52nd Independence and National Day celebrations of the Bangladesh Embassy and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and the United States on Tuesday morning (Washington time).
USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman was the guest of honor at the event.
Member of Parliament for Bangladesh Mahbubul Alam Hanif and Member of Parliament Nahim Razzak were present as special guests.
Momen called Monday’s meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony J. Blinken “fruitful.”
He also paid tribute to the role played by US political leaders and celebrities in supporting the liberation war in Bangladesh.
The Foreign Minister respectfully recalled that George W. Bush, the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations after the War of Liberation, had supported the resolution on granting UN membership to Bangladesh 15 out of 16 times. The Foreign Minister also mentioned the partnership between the two countries in various fields. He said that historically, Bangladesh and the United States have been working together to ensure democracy, human dignity, development of socio-economic conditions and world peace and security.
The Foreign Minister also paid tribute to the United States for providing assistance with more than 60 million vaccines to meet the challenge of Cavid-19 in Bangladesh. He also mentioned the commitment of the United States to find a lasting solution to the Rohingya crisis and to provide the largest humanitarian assistance to the Rohingya.
Momen noted Bangladesh’s continued development and progress, taking a strong stand against terrorism and militancy, women’s empowerment, communal harmony and freedom of expression, and thanked the United States Government for its support in Bangladesh’s development. The Foreign Minister also mentioned that Sheikh Hasina’s government is determined to further strengthen Bangladesh’s relations with the United States.
The program started with the national anthems of the two countries. Ambassador of Bangladesh to Washington Shahidul Islam delivered the welcome address. The program ended with a cultural performance and dinner.
Among the members of the visiting Bangladesh delegation to the United States were Foreign Secretary (Senior Secretary) Masood Bin Momen, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Waqar-uz-Zaman, Relief and Management Ministry Secretary Kamrul Hasan, Secretary of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. Golam Sarwar, Foreign Ministry Secretary (West) Shabbir Ahmed Chowdhury, former Ambassador Tariq A. Karim, Director of the Center for Bay of Bengal Studies at Independent University and members of the Bangladeshi community living in the United States were present.
