By P.K.Balachandran
Colombo, February 4: The Bangladeshi Foreign Minister, Dr. A.K Abdul Momen, who is on a visit to participate in the celebrations of Sri Lanka’s 75th Independence Day, has stressed the need for a cooperative approach in the South Asian region to solve its problems and overcome its challenges.
One of the highlights of Dr.Momen’s visit was the lecture he gave at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations and Strategic Studies on Friday on the theme “Shared Prosperity: A vision for South Asia”.
In his talk, Dr.Momen appealed to the nations of the South Asian region to sideline their political differences and cooperate to solve the economic, social and developmental problems they face. Many of these problems are common with roots spread over the member countries, he said.
Dr.Momen said that Bangladesh, inspired by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and under the stewardship of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has been following a holistic and regional approach to solving its problems including those with neighboring countries.
Through a friendly and cooperative approach, it has successfully solved its land border problem with India and the maritime border with Myanmar. Though a developing country itself, Bangladesh is helping, in whatever way it can, countries in the region when they face problems. It has helped Nepal during a devastating earthquake and had entered into a swap arrangement with Sri Lanka in its time of financial need. Bangladesh has also promoted interconnectivity in the region.
He warned that non-cooperation on the Rohingya issue will derogate security in the whole region. The indifference of the region and the world to the human rights violations against the Rohingyas in Myanmar and the consequent influx of millions into Bangladesh may eventually pose a security issue for other countries in the region.
On Bangladesh-Sri Lanka relations Dr. Momen said that the two countries are looking forward to cooperation in shipping, fishing, agriculture, trade, investment, tourism and connectivity.
The Lecture, instituted in the memory of Sri Lanka’s most renowned foreign minister and statesman late Lakshman Kadirgamar, had been delivered earlier by various world leaders and is considered a great honour conferred upon foreign dignitaries. Dr.Momen’s lecture was attended by high dignitaries of Sri Lanka including Ministers, the Chief Justice, Judges, the Attorney General, Chiefs of the Security Forces, academia, business entrepreneurs as well as diplomatic community-based in Colombo.
The Bangladesh Foreign Minister graced a cultural festival “LankaraLanka” at the historic Independence Hall featuring traditional performing arts of Sri Lanka. It was also graced by Sri Lankan President and visiting South Asian Ministers.
On Saturday, Foreign Minister Momen attended the “Independence Day Parade”. He had meetings with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka and called on President Ranil Wickremesinghe. He also attended a reception hosted by the President. Besides, he had met some of the visiting South Asian counterparts on the sidelines of the independence day event.
END
