Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh looks forward to elevating existing relations between Bangladesh and Australia to a new height for the benefit of the people and economies.
"We look forward to emerging as key partners and elevating our relations to a new height for the benefit of our people and economies as well as to securing a peaceful and prosperous Indian Ocean region in the days to come," the Bangladesh prime minister said in a message sent to her Australian counterpart on Monday, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic friendship between the two countries.
"On this auspicious occasion marking the 50 years of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Australia, it is my immense pleasure to convey the warmest greetings on behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh, and on my own behalf, to the government and friendly people of Australia," Sheikh Hasina said in her message.
Recalling with gratitude Australia’s prompt recognition of an independent Bangladesh in January 1972, she said Australian assistance in the reconstruction of the war-ravaged Bangladesh and continuous socio-economic support in the following decades has been immensely valuable to Bangladesh.
She said Bangladesh has attained remarkable progress over the five decades since independence and succeeded to a great extent in alleviating poverty, empowering people, and creating an inclusive society.
"We seek to consolidate our position in the comity of nations as a prosperous and responsible country with modern economy which is practicing democracy, building and keeping peace, and promoting rules based international order," she said.
Australia has been a trusted partner of Bangladesh in its journey towards attaining socio-economic development, she said, adding that the bilateral relation of Bangladesh and Australia is based on shared commitment to peace, pluralism, and dignity of the people.
"It is satisfying that our trade and economic interactions are deepening, and engagements on education, agriculture, energy and people-to-people contact are gaining traction," she said.
The prime minister said there is immense opportunity to boost bilateral engagement on Covid-19 recovery, investment and services, technology and innovation and to forge a meaningful partnership with Australia to face regional and global challenges such as climate change, forced displacement of people, and regional security.
