Bangladesh has signed the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation with a view to strengthening Bangladesh-ASEAN ties further in presence of all the ASEAN Foreign Ministers in Manila Wednesday evening.
Foreign Affairs Adviser Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury who is leading Bangladesh delegation to the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) ministerial meeting signed the accord.
"This treaty is the centrepiece of ARF and today is a red-letter day in the history of Bangladesh foreign policy", he told media after signing the treaty, according to a message received in Dhaka Thursday, reports UNB.
Chowdhury said, "Security, peace and development are concerns we share with others in the region, and I have no doubt in all these areas the cooperation among our countries will strengthen."
Bangladesh joined the ARF last year. A large number of invited guests witnessed the event. The other country to sign the treaty was Sri Lanka, the new member of the ARF.
The adviser said every key member of the international community - ASEAN members, US, European Union, Russia, China, Japan, India, Canada and Australia took part in the forum, which is a recognition of the growing economic and political significance of Asia, of which Bangladesh is proud to be a part.
The foreign adviser also held a meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Hasan Wirajuda on the sidelines of the ARF meeting.
Both sides resolved to strengthen bilateral ties and welcomed the holding of the first ever Joint Commission meeting between the two countries that concluded in Dhaka recently.
"We are two very large Islamic countries in the region, both with immense potential. There is much we can do together for mutual benefit, and we agreed to do that," Iftekhar told media after the meeting.
He said Dhaka and Jakarta had decided to examine the possibilities of expanded investments and trade.
Indonesia is currently the Chairman of the Developing-Eight (D-8) of which Bangladesh is a key member. "Trade facilitation is on D-8 agenda and we have decided to continue working towards that end", he added.
Earlier, the foreign adviser received a call by Canadian Deputy Foreign Minster Leonard Edwards. They agreed to widen and deepen bilateral cooperation including Canadian support to Bangladesh on anti-terrorism measures.
Chowdhury apprised Edwards of reform measures being adopted by the caretaker government in Bangladesh. They discussed the situation in Darfur, Sudan.
The Canadian deputy minister was informed that Bangladesh had offered troops for the planned UN Peace Mission.
Bangladesh signs Treaty of Amity and Cooperation
FE Team | Published: August 03, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
Share if you like