Signing of 5 documents and possibility of multilateral cooperation during Prime Minister’s visit to Thailand: Foreign Minister

Dhaka, 22 April 2024 (BSS): Foreign Minister Dr. Hashan Mahmud said that during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Thailand, there is a possibility of signing an agreement, three memoranda of understanding and a letter of intent with Bangladesh to expand cooperation with the country.
He said this at a press conference organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Segunbagicha in the capital on Monday afternoon.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend the 80th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNSCAP) from April 24 to 29 in Bangkok, Thailand at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Thailand, Sretha Tavisin, on the signing of five documents and multilateral cooperation.
Dr. Hasan Mahmud said that the Prime Ministers of the two countries will hold a bilateral meeting on April 26 at the Government House of Thailand. On the same day, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will attend a state lunch hosted by the Prime Minister of Thailand as her courtesy.
He said, in the presence of the Prime Ministers of the two countries, there is a possibility of signing an agreement on visa exemption for official passport holders as well as three MoUs on mutual cooperation in energy, tourism and customs and a letter of intent to start negotiations on a free trade agreement.
The minister said that during the visit, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also meet King Maha Vajira-Longkorn Phra Vajira-Klachao-Uhua and Queen Sudhida Vajrasudha-Bimala-Lakshan at the Royal Palace of Thailand.
The Foreign Minister said that through this visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the review of the ‘Free Trade Agreement’ for the expansion of trade and increase in import-export between the two countries, as well as other matters of common interest, especially in the areas of investment, tourism, energy, land and sea connectivity, development etc. There will be opportunities for detailed discussion.
He expressed hope that Bangladesh and Thailand will be able to achieve mutual benefits through joint activities and exchange of expertise in the fields of human resource development, Buddhist circuit tourism promotion, investment in tourist areas, etc. by exploiting the immense potential of the tourism sector.
He said that this cooperation in the tourism industry will create significant economic growth and employment opportunities in both countries.
He said, besides, visa exemption for official passport holders of Bangladesh and Thailand will facilitate communication between the government officials of both countries and government officials will be able to attend various meetings-seminars and trainings on time.
Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud mentioned that during the Prime Minister’s visit, ASEAN member states including Thailand will be called upon to play a more active and effective role in Bangladesh’s request for the status of ASEAN’s ‘Sectoral Dialogue Partner’ and the speedy repatriation of the Rohingyas and the resolution of the ongoing conflict in Myanmar.
He also said that the prime minister is expected to deliver a special speech on the United Nations Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals at the 80th session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for the Asia Pacific (UNSCAP) on April 25 at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok.
He also said that the Executive Secretary of UNSCAP will have a courtesy meeting with the Prime Minister on the same day.
The Minister expressed hope that the Prime Minister’s official visit to Thailand, which recognized Bangladesh in 1972, would be successful and fruitful.
It is to be noted that Finance Minister, Foreign Minister, Minister of State for Posts, Telecommunication and Information and Communication Technology and related secretaries are scheduled to visit and attend the conference.
Meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Hashan Mahmud
Abazbek Atakhanov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, who came on a three-day visit to Bangladesh, on Monday afternoon, Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan paid a courtesy call on Mahmud.
Foreign Minister Hasan expressed satisfaction over the successful completion of the first Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) between the two countries in the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Segunbagicha in the capital.
He thanked the President of the Kyrgyz Republic for congratulating the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on his re-election in the January 7 elections.
Recalling the valuable support of the Kyrgyz people as a part of the former USSR in Bangladesh’s liberation war, the foreign minister said there are many opportunities to increase bilateral trade between the two countries. He requested Kyrgyzstan to import garments, medicines, jute products, tropical fruits, ceramics, IT products and services.
Foreign Minister Hasan immediately sought Kyrgyzstan’s assistance in repatriating the Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar and ending the war in Palestine’s Gaza.
At the same time, he requested the Deputy Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan to support Bangladesh in signing the Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Commission and to support the country’s candidates in various international forums.
In the meeting, Kyrgyz Deputy Foreign Minister Avazbek Atakhanov praised Bangladesh’s success in various fields including agriculture and said that there are about 1,000 Bangladeshi students studying in his country.
He said that Kyrgyzstan is producing huge amount of electricity and about 22 to 24 tons of gold per year where there is scope for employment of large manpower.
Kyrgyzstan will support Bangladesh in signing the Free Trade Agreement with the Eurasian Economic Commission and the Deputy Foreign Minister Avazbek Atakhanov assured Deputy Foreign Minister Avazhbek Atakhanov of cooperation on the basis of ‘reciprocity’.