Foreign Office Consultation between Bangladesh and Germany held in Berlin
DHAKA, April 26 (NsNewsWire) — The Foreign Office Consultation between Bangladesh and Germany was held in Berlin on 25 April 2016. Bangladesh side was led by Foreign Secretary Md. Shahidul Haque, while State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany Dr Markus Ederer led the German side. The meeting was held in a cordial and warm environment at the historic building of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany.
Both Foreign Secretaries discussed all aspects of existing bilateral relations and agreed to work closely to further strengthen mutual cooperation between the two countries. Terming the relation between Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and German Chancellor Angela Merkel very warm, open and frank, both sides underscored the need for regular two-way high political level visits to take the relations to a new height.
Foreign Secretary further discussed about bilateral development cooperation and appreciated sustained German development assistance to Bangladesh since our independence in 1971. Both Foreign Secretaries also discussed on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
Foreign Secretary Haque proposed some new ideas, for strengthening and expanding relations between the two countries, particularly focusing on to devise ways and means for implementation of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. In that regard he handed over proposals for partnership agreements on skills and vocational training, development of small and medium enterprises and green industrial manufacturing in Bangladesh, development and transfer of technology, where Germany can provide technical assistance and support. Both sides also agreed to work together to pave the way for enhanced German investment in Bangladesh.
Both Foreign Secretaries exchanged views on the ongoing refugee and migration crisis focusing on Europe. They further discussed about migration and mobility within the context of the upcoming Summit on Global Forum for Migration and Development (GFMD) to be held in Dhaka in December 2016. Both sides also discussed about the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism and vowed to work together to address these global problems.
Bangladesh Foreign Secretary also met with the Parliamentary State Secretary for the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany Hans-Joachim Fuchtel and thanked him for his sustained support for transforming the Bangladesh readymade garment industry into a sustainable sourcing option for the global supply chains.
The Foreign Secretary gave a talk on “Bangladesh 2030 and beyond” at an experts roundtable involving German academics, business/industry experts at the headquarters of Friedrich-Ebbert-Stftung (FES), a political foundation of the Social Democratic Union (SDU), member of the ruling coalition.
The next Foreign Office Consultations between the two countries is expected to be held in Dhaka next year.