Handout                                                                                                         Number :  308

German Ambassador calls on Foreign Minister

Dhaka, 24 January 2019:

            'Germany seeks to have more investment in Bangladesh', German Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Fahrenholtz conveyed this message when he met new Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen at the Ministry today.

            The German Ambassador congratulated Foreign Minister Dr Momen on his assuming the responsibility and expressed firm commitment move forward with bilateral and multilateral engagements on issues of mutual interests. He further emphasized on ‘stability, growth and increased welfare for the common people’ under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He also expressed interests in deepening bilateral relations on issues like trade and investment, Rohingya crisis, migration, SMEs and skills development, climate change, and beyond.

            Terming Germany as ‘natural friend’, Foreign Minister Dr. Momen expressed deep appreciation and gratitude for long-standing and comprehensive support from Germany in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh, since independence. He further invited more German investment in Bangladesh. He thanked the Ambassador for agreeing to make shift in the thematic focus of future bilateral development cooperation, by incorporating ‘SMEs and skills/vocational training’ as the new thematic focus.

            Foreign Minister Dr. Momen thanked Germany for extending full support for the Rohingya crisis, and sought further intensified efforts from the international community so that the Rohingyas could go back to their ancestral homeland in safety and dignity.

            Ambassador Fahrenholtz expressed deep appreciation for the ‘very successful’ engagements and cooperation between the two countries in the area of migration – a top priority for the Chancellor Merkel’s government.  

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Tohidul/Mahmud/Parvez/Salimuzzaman/2019/2030 Hrs

Handout                                                                                                          Number : 304

Princess Sarah Zeid meets Foreign Minister

Dhaka, 24 January 2019:

            Princess Sarah Zeid, Special Adviser to World Food Programme (WFP) had a meeting with the Foreign Minister Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen at latter’s office this afternoon. Princess Sarah is currently on a six-day visit to Bangladesh. As WFP Special Adviser, she went to Cox’s Bazar to witness the conditions of the Rohingyas sheltered in there.

            Foreign Minister welcomed Princess Sarah Zeid in her maiden visit to Bangladesh. Foreign Minister highlighted on generosity and leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas and saving the world from even bigger catastrophe.

            Emphasizing on the peaceful and amicable resolution of the Rohingya issue, Foreign Minister urged the global leadership for creating pressure on Myanmar for repatriation of the Rohingyas back to their homeland. He particularly urged Princess Sarah to raise her voice to reach out the world about the atrocities committed against the Rohingyas and political support for sustainable resolution of the crisis.

            Princess Sarah Zeid praised the internationally acclaimed extraordinary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government in giving shelter to over a million of Rohingyas. All should continue to push for accountability and safe and dignified return of the Rohingyas to Myanmar, she stated. She emphasized on the necessity of multi-track diplomacy in this regard.

            Appreciating Princess Sarah’s role, Foreign Minister also highlighted on the tremendous women empowerment which is happening in Bangladesh in all the fields of the society under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

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Tohidul/Mahmud/Mosharaf/Salimuzzaman/2019/1915 Hrs