Bangladesh and the Maldives have agreed to address and counter the threats posed by organised crimes, piracy, narcotic and human trafficking, through multilateral and regional fora, including Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), in the quest of attaining security, stability and peace in the Indian Ocean region, reports UNB.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and President of the Maldives Ibrahim Mohamed Solih agreed on the importance of working together bilaterally, regionally and internationally in combating the rising menace of terrorism, violent extremism and radicalization, according to a joint communiqué issued on Thursday.
Both leaders emphasised that the regional organisations such as South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation has an important role in promoting regional cooperation in many areas, particularly in combating the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The Bangladesh side highlighted that the country has assumed the Chairmanship of IORA for the first time, since October 2021 and sought the support of the Maldives for working together towards greater maritime safety and security in the Indian Ocean Region.
President Solih congratulated Bangladesh and assured it of Maldives' cooperation in this regard.
Solih thanked Sheikh Hasina for the generous gift of military vehicles, acknowledging the goodwill and friendship extended to the Maldives by the government of Bangladesh.
President Solih reaffirmed Maldives' support to Bangladesh on the issue of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar nationals.
The President added that the Maldives continues to condemn in the strongest terms, the atrocities committed against the Rohingya Muslim community in Myanmar and remain in solidarity with the Rohingya people.
Solih further commended Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the government of Bangladesh for graciously hosting the displaced Rohingya community, offering them protection and shelter, and her efforts to facilitate their peaceful and dignified repatriation to their home country.
President Solih and Prime Minister Hasina reiterated their commitment to promoting and protecting human rights in all fora.
They also agreed to extend all possible support to the candidacies floated by either country in various international organisations including the United Nations. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to promoting human rights.
Both the leaders agreed that connectivity in all its forms is crucial to promote tourism and trade; and also stressed the early launching of the direct shipping link.
They welcomed the launch of flights between Dhaka and Malé by US Bangla Airlines, noting this will boost people to people contact and trade opportunities between the two countries.
Appreciating the enormous contribution made by the Bangladeshi expatriates to the socio-economic development of Maldives, President Solih stressed that a large number of Bangladeshi workers still remain undocumented and vulnerable to exploitation.
President Solih and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina highlighted the importance of multilateralism and underscored their commitment to working together at the United Nations and other multilateral fora on issues of global concerns.
He thanked Sheikh Hasina for the support extended to the candidature of Abdulla Shahid, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives for the Presidency of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Both leaders expressed their concern on the climate emergency, noting that the effects of climate change directly and negatively impact the livelihood and wellbeing of people in island nations and low-lying coastal states like the Maldives and Bangladesh.
President Solih applauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her leadership as the Chair of the Climate Vulnerable Forum.
The two leaders agreed to intensify their combined efforts in addressing the climate emergency, and proposed to enhance cooperation and exchange of knowledge between the two countries on climate change adaptation and disaster management.
Prime Minister Hasina thanked President Solih for the warm welcome and gracious hospitality extended to her and members of her delegation during their stay in Maldives.
President Solih reiterated Maldives' request to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the areas of health, higher education and human resource development.
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