Need for continuing democratic process stressed
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visits a photo exhibition on Bangabandhu's diplomatic engagements and a painting exhibition at the foreign ministry yesterday. Photo: PMO
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday stressed the need for continuing the country's democratic process to build a prosperous Bangladesh through economic development. “No one would be able to toy with Bangladesh if we can prosper economically,” she told officials and staff at the foreign ministry in the capital. Bangladesh has successfully cast off its negative image of terrorism, militancy, communalism, corruption, cyclone and flood as it has established a democratic process after facing obstructions time and again, she mentioned. “Bangladesh is now known as a secular and democratic country. We have restored and established democracy and eliminated terrorism and militancy,” added Hasina. Bangladesh is no longer a country of blasts, though 500 blasts were reported in 63 districts within half an hour on August 17 in 2005; rather the government has introduced Bangladesh as a country of peace, progress, prosperity and possibility, maintained the prime minister. Lauding the success of the foreign ministry in boosting the positive image of Bangladesh through its successful foreign policy, she said the country will win in the maritime boundary delimitation arbitration with India in 2014, just like it has achieved victory against Myanmar. “Now we need to strengthen our defence to protect the huge sea and extract resources for the welfare of our people.” “We want to build Bangladesh as a country of peace in South Asia. There might be problems with our neighbours, but we can resolve those through bilateral talks as we did in the cases of Ganges water sharing treaty and CHT peace accord. We have resolved problems in the past and will settle the remaining issues in future,” she noted. Hasina also appreciated the foreign ministry for its achievement in different international bodies including the UN, NAM, BIMSTEC, OIC and Saarc. She asked the ministry officials, especially those in foreign missions, to monitor the well-being of the expatriate Bangladeshis, look into their problems and extend all possible help to them. “You have to remember that your salary and allowances come from the hard-earned foreign currency of the expatriates. Bangladesh's forex reserve has topped $10 billion and the expatriates have contributed to it greatly.” Regarding the government's initiative to mitigate the effects of climate change, she said her government has taken a huge initiative to save the country and its people from the impact of climate change without looking for foreign assistance. Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes and Chief of Protocol Khondker M Talha, spoke, among others. Earlier, the prime minister arrived at the ministry around 11:00am and held a meeting with senior officials. She also visited a photo exhibition on Bangabandhu's diplomatic engagements and a painting exhibition on the ministry premises. She unveiled a portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at foreign minister's lounge and planted a “Bokul” sapling.
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