Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Thursday told Parliament that as the matter of imposing sanctions on the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) is a political issue, strong diplomatic efforts are being made to solve the matter.
"Lifting the sanction from RAB is a long-term process,” he said, adding that diplomatic efforts are on track to deal with the United States regarding the sanction.
The foreign minister said this while replying to a starred question from opposition Jatiya Party lawmaker Md Mujibul Haque (Chunnu).
In a scripted answer, Momen said the foreign ministry and other ministries, divisions or government agencies are jointly working to lift this sanction, and ensure that such sanction would not come anymore in future.
The Bangladesh Embassy stationed in Washington DC maintains contact with the US State Department regularly, he said, adding that the foreign ministry takes steps instantly following recommendations of the Bangladesh Embassy.
Citing different steps taken by the government for the withdrawal of existing sanctions, he said that the sanction issue was also discussed in meetings with US Assistant Secretary Donald Lu during his recent visit to Bangladesh.
Momen said Donald Lu praised RAB’s activities.
"The foreign ministry and Bangladesh Embassy stationed in Washington DC together with a legal assistance firm continue strong diplomatic efforts over the withdrawal of the sanction," he said.
