Bangladesh seeks Chinese help
Thursday, 6 November 2008
FE Report
Bangladesh sought Wednesday China's help in resolving its dispute with Myanmar over the rights of offshore oil and gas blocks in the Bay of Bengal, officials said.
Foreign adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury also aired the Bangladesh's concern during a meeting with the Chinese ambassador Zheng Qingdian.
"I have explained our position to our Chinese friend and hope that his country will persuade Myanmar to stop its activities inside Bangladesh waters," Dr Chowdhury told the newsmen after meeting with the Chinese ambassador in the foreign office.
China maintains close ties with both Bangladesh and Myanmar for long.
Meanwhile, a three-member Bangladesh delegation, led by foreign secretary Md Touhid Hossain, reached Myanmar Wednesday to hold talks with the Yangon officials for resolving the problem.
Warships of both Myanmar and Bangladesh are now stationed in the Bay of Bengal to ensure rights over, what they claim, their own territorial waters.
Myanmar said Tuesday that it would go ahead with the exploration in the deep-sea blocks.
Yangon summoned Bangladesh ambassador on Sunday to lodge complaint after Dhaka sent navy ships to the area.
Earlier, Bangladesh foreign adviser said that the country would do everything possible to protect its sovereignty and assert its rightful claim in the Bay of Bengal.
Bangladesh foreign ministry also had summoned the Myanmar ambassador in Bangladesh to protest Myanmar's oil and gas exploration activities in the Bay.
Technical delegations from both sides are scheduled to meet in Dhaka on November 16 and 17 next to discuss maritime boundary demarcation, foreign ministry officials said.
In early 2006, Bangladesh foreign ministry raised concern and protested against oil and gas exploration by Myanmar inside Bangladesh's maritime boundary.
The then Bangladesh acting foreign secretary A.H.M. Moniruzzaman had summoned the then Myanmar ambassador to Bangladesh U Thane Myint and conveyed Bangladesh government's concern.
The acting foreign secretary also had handed over a note to the envoy drawing attention of the Myanmar government regarding allocation of un-demarcated areas to conduct survey for exploration of oil and gas in the Bay of Bengal.
Bangladesh sought Wednesday China's help in resolving its dispute with Myanmar over the rights of offshore oil and gas blocks in the Bay of Bengal, officials said.
Foreign adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury also aired the Bangladesh's concern during a meeting with the Chinese ambassador Zheng Qingdian.
"I have explained our position to our Chinese friend and hope that his country will persuade Myanmar to stop its activities inside Bangladesh waters," Dr Chowdhury told the newsmen after meeting with the Chinese ambassador in the foreign office.
China maintains close ties with both Bangladesh and Myanmar for long.
Meanwhile, a three-member Bangladesh delegation, led by foreign secretary Md Touhid Hossain, reached Myanmar Wednesday to hold talks with the Yangon officials for resolving the problem.
Warships of both Myanmar and Bangladesh are now stationed in the Bay of Bengal to ensure rights over, what they claim, their own territorial waters.
Myanmar said Tuesday that it would go ahead with the exploration in the deep-sea blocks.
Yangon summoned Bangladesh ambassador on Sunday to lodge complaint after Dhaka sent navy ships to the area.
Earlier, Bangladesh foreign adviser said that the country would do everything possible to protect its sovereignty and assert its rightful claim in the Bay of Bengal.
Bangladesh foreign ministry also had summoned the Myanmar ambassador in Bangladesh to protest Myanmar's oil and gas exploration activities in the Bay.
Technical delegations from both sides are scheduled to meet in Dhaka on November 16 and 17 next to discuss maritime boundary demarcation, foreign ministry officials said.
In early 2006, Bangladesh foreign ministry raised concern and protested against oil and gas exploration by Myanmar inside Bangladesh's maritime boundary.
The then Bangladesh acting foreign secretary A.H.M. Moniruzzaman had summoned the then Myanmar ambassador to Bangladesh U Thane Myint and conveyed Bangladesh government's concern.
The acting foreign secretary also had handed over a note to the envoy drawing attention of the Myanmar government regarding allocation of un-demarcated areas to conduct survey for exploration of oil and gas in the Bay of Bengal.