FM says Bangladesh to welcome any people’s govt in Afghanistan

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Monday said Bangladesh will welcome the new government in Afghanistan if it is supported by its people.

“We believe in people's government. We believe in a government which is liked by its people. We believe in democratic government,” he told reporters, adding that Bangladesh's door will surely remain open if the Taliban government becomes a government supported by its people.

The Foreign Minister said Bangladesh believes in friendship to all countries, and Bangladesh will extend support if any government seeks support from Bangladesh.

He saidAfghanistan is a friendly country to Bangladesh is a member state of SAARC. “Bangladesh wants their (Afghanistan) development.”

Responding to a question, Momen said there were some terrorists in Bangladesh who were trained in Afghanistan. “We've uprooted them and there's no scope to see their reemergence here.”

Observing Situation Carefully

Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Bangladesh is carefully observing the fast-evolving situation in Afghanistan, which, Bangladesh believes, may have an impact on the region and beyond.

“We urge all stakeholders in Afghanistan to maintain peace and calm ensuring safety and security of all including foreign nationals,” said the ministry in a statement.

Bangladesh said it would be happy to continue to work with the people of Afghanistan and the international community for the socio-economic development of the country.

Bangladesh and Afghanistan share historical and cultural linkages. It is a fellow member of Saarc and an integral part of South Asia.

Bangladesh recalled the invaluable support extended by the government and the people of Afghanistan to Bangladesh during the War of Liberation.

“Bangladesh is committed to working with Afghanistan for fulfilling the visionary policy of the Hon'ble Prime Minister that the region must grow and prosper together for this development to be sustainable,” the statement reads.

Bangladesh believes that a democratic and pluralistic Afghanistan as chosen by its people is the only guarantee of stability and development in the country.

In this regard, Bangladesh considers itself a potential development partner and a friend of Afghanistan.

“We stand ready to share our best practices with Afghanistan in a range of areas, such as basic education, community healthcare, sanitation, human resources development, agriculture, climate change adaptation, disaster management and ICT enabled public service delivery,” said the ministry.

The successful outreach of Bangladeshi NGOs which have been operating in Afghanistan for the last 20 years has demonstrated that expertise, according to the statement.

“Bangladesh firmly believes that it's upon the people of Afghanistan to rebuild their country and decide the course of the future themselves,” the ministry added.

Bangladesh wishes to see Afghanistan as a peaceful, stable, prosperous, responsible and contributing member of the South Asian region and the global community.