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Ruling out any external pressure, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said Bangladesh will stick to its foreign policy principle – “friendship to all, malice towards none” – against the backdrop of a divided world.
“All the countries in the East and the West have expressed their willingness to work with us, with the government. At the end of the day, they are our development partners and we will work together,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Maritime Affairs Unit Secretary Rear Admiral (retd) Khurshed Alam were present at the time.
Meeting reporters for the first time after taking oath as the foreign minister, Hasan said the world is gradually becoming divided and it is a challenge in this changing scenario.
Apart from forging deeper friendships with all the countries, he said the government values their concerns, too.
“There had been many pressures centring the election. The election was held overcoming all those pressures. We never allowed us to feel any pressure from anyone. We will work together with all,” he said.
Responding to a question, he said they will have no problem in working together with all as Bangladesh has willingness to get closer to all. “We want to be with all. That is our strength.”
The foreign minister laid emphasis on sending skilled manpower abroad, addressing the problems of the expatriates and encouraging them to send remittance through formal channels.
He said the government needs to strengthen its economic diplomacy to expand its export market and explore new markets.
He reiterated that at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected government’s cabinet in Bangabhaban, all the ambassadors and high commissioners based in Dhaka, including those from the US, UK and the European Union (EU), were present.
“They all came to congratulate the current government,” said the new foreign minister.
Responding to a question, Hasan said each country has its own “perspective and narrative,” and the government of Bangladesh values those perspectives and narratives.
“It’s a very important ministry. It is a challenge,” he said about his new role.
Hasan said the elections were free and fair as described by international observers.
“We will work with all the countries – call it the West or East – for the development of our country. We believe in friendship to all and malice to none,” he said.
He said the election was held in a free and fair manner with the wider participation of voters in a festive atmosphere.
He said huge foreign observers including from the US, EU, OIC, Commonwealth, Japan and Saarc countries observed the polls and acknowledged the polls as “free and fair” with enthusiastic participation of voters.
“There were many barriers but the observers came to accept the polls,” he said.
The foreign minister, quoting a US observer, said there are always discussions and questions about the election, and even in the US.
“Ministry of Information was a challenge. I met that challenge with your help. It's definitely a challenge in the global context and the fact that there are wars going on in different parts of the world now,” said the foreign minister while responding to a question.
He said under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, they have taken the country forward by facing all the challenges.
“Prime Minister has entrusted me with the responsibility of foreign ministry. Insha Allah, facing this challenge, we will move the country forward and brighten the country’s image, improve relations with the East and the West,” the foreign minister said.
‘Rohingya issue can be resolved’
Hasan Mahmud on Sunday expressed optimism that the Rohingya crisis can be resolved diplomatically.
"We remain engaged with Myanmar. We hope this problem will be resolved diplomatically," he said while responding to a question.
Meeting journalists at the MoFA, Hasan Mahmud said the government does not believe in solving issues with conflicts.
"We firmly believe that diplomatically it can be resolved," he said.
The foreign minister mentioned that the Rohingyas came to Bangladesh even before the latest influx and he visited the camps in person after the latest influx.
"Keeping engagement with Myanmar, we hope to resolve the problem with the cooperation from others," said the Foreign Minister.
The government wanted to begin repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar last year, initially with around 1,000 of the refugees, according to the MoFA.
Bangladesh has given a list of over 3,000 Rohingyas to Myanmar and wants to make sure that families are not separated.
The government of Bangladesh has said the drastic reduction of humanitarian assistance for this persecuted population, which is growing with around 30,000 newborns every year in the camps, is compounding the crisis.
Further delay to commence safe, voluntary, and sustainable repatriation and shortage of humanitarian support may put the entire region at risk.
The socio-economic, demographic, and environmental cost of sheltering more than 1.2 million Rohingyas for such a long time is pushing Bangladesh to the limit.
These forcibly displaced people have aspirations and rights to return to their homeland in a safe and sustainable manner, the Foreign Ministry said.
