Thailand, Cambodia asked to show restraint on border dispute
Saturday, 26 July 2008
Adviser for Foreign Affairs Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury Friday said Bangladesh, as a peaceful and peace-loving country, urged both Thailand and Cambodia to show restraint on their border dispute over an ancient temple, reports BSS.
Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury also expressed the hope that "the matter could be resolved through dialogue in the spirit of Asian solidarity", said a press release.
He was speaking to the media in Singapore Friday where the ASEAN Regional Forum Conference was taking place.
"Both Thailand and Cambodia are our close friends and we find the dispute between them painful for us," he said.
"We believe any bilateral dispute could be resolved peacefully through dialogue. Confrontations never help," he remarked.
He also welcomed the "Six Party Talks" on North Korea that took place in Singapore on the side-lines of the ARF, particularly the contact at the level of Secretary of State of the US and the North Korean Foreign Minister.
"Like many others Bangladesh is pleased with this development and hopes that it would help ease tension," Dr Iftekhar said.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov has said that Russia viewed Bangladesh as a close friend and was keen on expanding cooperation with her.
The Russian Foreign Minister made the remark while he had a talk with Adviser for Foreign Affairs Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury Thursday on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum being held in Singapore.
The Foreign Adviser thanked the Russian Foreign Minister for the very warm reception that was accorded to him when he visited Moscow last year. He also expressed his appreciation for the Russian support in the energy sector and stated that Bangladesh was keen to procure fertiliser from Russia.
Both of them reviewed the current global situation including the issues of Kosovo and Georgia.
Dr Iftekhar stated that Bangladesh is a very responsible international actor and would continue to contribute to global stability, which was necessary if countries like Bangladesh were to achieve their "development aspirations."
Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury also expressed the hope that "the matter could be resolved through dialogue in the spirit of Asian solidarity", said a press release.
He was speaking to the media in Singapore Friday where the ASEAN Regional Forum Conference was taking place.
"Both Thailand and Cambodia are our close friends and we find the dispute between them painful for us," he said.
"We believe any bilateral dispute could be resolved peacefully through dialogue. Confrontations never help," he remarked.
He also welcomed the "Six Party Talks" on North Korea that took place in Singapore on the side-lines of the ARF, particularly the contact at the level of Secretary of State of the US and the North Korean Foreign Minister.
"Like many others Bangladesh is pleased with this development and hopes that it would help ease tension," Dr Iftekhar said.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov has said that Russia viewed Bangladesh as a close friend and was keen on expanding cooperation with her.
The Russian Foreign Minister made the remark while he had a talk with Adviser for Foreign Affairs Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury Thursday on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum being held in Singapore.
The Foreign Adviser thanked the Russian Foreign Minister for the very warm reception that was accorded to him when he visited Moscow last year. He also expressed his appreciation for the Russian support in the energy sector and stated that Bangladesh was keen to procure fertiliser from Russia.
Both of them reviewed the current global situation including the issues of Kosovo and Georgia.
Dr Iftekhar stated that Bangladesh is a very responsible international actor and would continue to contribute to global stability, which was necessary if countries like Bangladesh were to achieve their "development aspirations."