Bangladesh withdraws UNSC candidacy in favour of Japan

Bangladesh has withdrawn its candidature for the non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in support of its 'long-tested' friend Japan, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced, reports bdnews24.com.
The announcement came at a joint briefing after the summit talk with her Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on Saturday.
On a first visit by any Japanese prime minister in 14 years, Abe arrived in Dhaka around 1pm on a less than 22-hour tour.
Bangladesh and Japan were two contenders for the non-permanent seat for 2016-2017.
But only one will be elected from the Asia Pacific region.
Japan has long been trying to lure Bangladesh for its support for Tokyo's candidature.
Hasina during her Tokyo visit told Japanese media at a briefing that Japanese people would definitely get "good news" during Abe's tour in Dhaka.
She invited him to visit Bangladesh during their meeting in Tokyo in May.
"I will have to go back and discuss the matter with my cabinet colleagues. But we will definitely value the friendship with Japan," Hasina had then said.
"We always remember with gratitude the Japanese support… Japan is our tested friend and Bangladesh is ready to make any sacrifice for the tested friend," she also said.
During that visit, Abe promised $6 billion development assistance for Bangladesh for the next four to five years.
Making the announcement at her office, Hasina said Bangladesh and Japan had "an excellent understanding and long history of cooperation" in the field of international affairs, including at the UN.
She gave a broad context before announcing the withdrawal of Bangladesh's candidature.
"….in view of Japan's continued and strong support in Bangladesh's development process, and in the interest of solidarity and unity of the Asia-Pacific Group at the UN, it is my pleasure to declare that Bangladesh would support Japan's candidature from the Asia Pacific Group for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the term 2016-17," Hasina announced.
"We would also withdraw Bangladesh's candidature in favour of Japan," she said.
Abe thanked Hasina for the announcement.
Hasina said Japan has always been supportive of Bangladesh role in particular in the "UN Peace keeping and Peace Building".