Bangla-US relationship now more focussed on economic issues: Dipu Moni
Saturday, 19 September 2009
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni said US-Bangladesh relationship has undergone a transformation-from aid dependence to an economic relationship that focused on trade and investment, reports UNB.
In this regard, she laid emphasis on the importance of duty-free and quota-free access of Bangladeshi products to the US market.
The foreign minister was speaking at a discussion jointly organised by Paul H Nitze of Advance International Studies (SAIS), John Hopkins University and US Bangladesh Advisory Council (USBAC) in Washington, DC Thursday, said a press release in Dhaka.
Dr Moni said Bangladesh was willing to play a complementary role to the US efforts in handling the common challenges of today's world.
"Bangladesh could work with the United States in showcasing the progressive, liberal and democratic face of Bangladesh to the international community."
She said that in the evolving global context Bangladesh could work with the Obama administration to intensify the fight against global poverty and extremism, help rebuild broken societies through UN peacekeeping and peace building efforts and address the challenge of climate change through creative efforts.
Referring to the support Bangladesh received from the United States, the Bangladesh foreign minister paid rich tribute to late Senator Edward Kennedy for his role during the tumultuous days of Bangladesh's War of Independence.
She also recalled the role the US Congress played for the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh through free, fair and credible election of last December.
The talks were followed by a lively Q&A session.
Sajeeb Wazed, adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, high government officials, academia, experts in South Asia, members of the print and electronic media, students, investors and businessmen and officials of Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC attended the discussion.
Earlier in the day, the foreign minister had a meeting with the editorial board of the reputed newspaper The Washington Times.
She exchanged views on various development activities in Bangladesh and also the relations between Bangladesh and the US.
In this regard, she laid emphasis on the importance of duty-free and quota-free access of Bangladeshi products to the US market.
The foreign minister was speaking at a discussion jointly organised by Paul H Nitze of Advance International Studies (SAIS), John Hopkins University and US Bangladesh Advisory Council (USBAC) in Washington, DC Thursday, said a press release in Dhaka.
Dr Moni said Bangladesh was willing to play a complementary role to the US efforts in handling the common challenges of today's world.
"Bangladesh could work with the United States in showcasing the progressive, liberal and democratic face of Bangladesh to the international community."
She said that in the evolving global context Bangladesh could work with the Obama administration to intensify the fight against global poverty and extremism, help rebuild broken societies through UN peacekeeping and peace building efforts and address the challenge of climate change through creative efforts.
Referring to the support Bangladesh received from the United States, the Bangladesh foreign minister paid rich tribute to late Senator Edward Kennedy for his role during the tumultuous days of Bangladesh's War of Independence.
She also recalled the role the US Congress played for the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh through free, fair and credible election of last December.
The talks were followed by a lively Q&A session.
Sajeeb Wazed, adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, high government officials, academia, experts in South Asia, members of the print and electronic media, students, investors and businessmen and officials of Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC attended the discussion.
Earlier in the day, the foreign minister had a meeting with the editorial board of the reputed newspaper The Washington Times.
She exchanged views on various development activities in Bangladesh and also the relations between Bangladesh and the US.