Bangladesh, Myanmar enter into new phase of relationship: statement

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha -BSS

Dhaka: Bangladesh and Myanmar have agreed to embark on a new phase of bilateral ties for resolving outstanding refugee issue and enhancing cooperation in the fields of energy, trade and investment, and regional connectivity.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina meet President of Myanmar Thein Sein

‘Bangladesh and Myanmar are going to enter into a new phase in bilateral relations for the mutual benefit of their peoples and collective prosperity of the region,’ said a joint statement made available in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Following is the text of the Joint Statement:

1. Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina paid an official visit to Myanmar from 5-7 December 2011 at the invitation of H.E. U Thein Sein, the President of Myanmar. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh was accompanied by Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, Ambassador-at-Large Mr. M. Ziauddin, Principal Secretary Mr. Shaikh Md. Wahid-Uz Zaman, Member of Parliament Mr. Nazmul Hassan Papon, Member of Parliament Mr. Bir Bahadur U Shwe Sing, Foreign Secretary Mr. Mohammed Mijarul Quayes and other senior Officials and Business Delegation.

2. During the visit, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh H.E. Sheikh Hasina held official talks with H.E. U Thein Sein, the President of Myanmar. She laid the foundation stone of the Bangladesh Chancery Building in Nay Pyi Taw and visited Gems Museum and Uppatathandi Pagoda. Union Minister for Foreign Affairs H.E. Wunna Maung Lwin called on the Prime Minister of Bangladesh H.E. Sheikh Hasina.

3. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh H.E. Sheikh Hasina was accorded a ceremonial reception with Guard of Honour at the Presidential Office. President of Myanmar, H.E. U Thein Sein hosted a banquet in honour of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and her delegation.

4. The bilateral talks between Bangladesh and Myanmar were held on 6 December 2011 in a cordial, warm and friendly environment reflecting the excellent bilateral relations and friendship that exist between the two countries. The two Heads of Government led their respective sides.

5. On the Bangladesh side the Prime Minister was assisted by Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, Ambassador-at-Large Mr. M. Ziauddin, Principal Secretary Mr. Shaikh Md Wahid-Uz Zaman, Member of Parliament Mr. Nazmul Hassan Papon, Member of Parliament Mr. Bir Bahadur U Shwe, Sing, Foreign Secretary Mr. Mohammed Mijarul Quayes, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Myanmar Major General Anup Kumar Chakma, and other Senior Officials. On the Myanmar side the President was assisted by Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Wunna Maung Lwin, and other Union Ministers and Senior Government Officials.

6. At the outset, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh congratulated H.E. U Thein Sein on his assumption of office as the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and being elected as the President of ASEAN for 2014. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh also expressed happiness at the steps taken for political reconciliation by the President of Myanmar. Both Heads of Government reaffirmed their satisfaction at the excellent bilateral relations that have developed over the years based on geographic proximity, rich historic and cultural traditions, people-to-people interactions as well as common aspiration for development. They expressed happiness that Bangladesh-Myanmar friendship is growing stronger and emphasized on the need to further accelerate the relations in the best interest of the two peoples.

7. The President of Myanmar praised the initiatives taken by the Bangladesh Prime Minister in strengthening democracy and promoting peace, security and stability in the region. Both Heads of Government noted that Bangladesh and Myanmar are going to enter into a new phase in bilateral relations with a pragmatic and practical approach based on sovereignty, equality, friendship, trust and understanding for the mutual benefit of their peoples and collective prosperity of the region.

8. The two Heads of Government welcomed the holding of Foreign Office Consultations, Joint Trade Commission’s Meetings, Nodal Agency’s Meetings in controlling narcotics drugs and psychotropic substances and other meetings that took place in recent years on various issues between the two countries for further deepening of cooperation and widening of the relationship into newer areas, and towards that end, agreed on a number of measures.

9. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh raised the issue of Myanmar refugees living in Nayapara and Kutupalong camp and the huge number of undocumented Myanmar nationals living in Bangladesh and stated that early resolution of the issue will help strengthen the bilateral relations to a great extent. The President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar expressed his desire to cooperate with Bangladesh in resolving the issue.

10. The Prime Minister expressed Bangladesh’s willingness to import energy from Myanmar and requested the President to import readymade garments, pharmaceutical products, knitwear, jute and jute goods, ceramics etc. from Bangladesh at competitive price and mentioned that Bangladesh was keen to organize a “Single Country Trade Fair” in Yangon early next year.

11. The two Heads of Government stressed upon the establishment of direct banking arrangement under ACU (Asian Clearing Union) so that LCs can be opened directly between the two countries and wished to launch direct air flight between Dhaka/Chittagong and Yangon, have plying of non-conventional vessels between the designated commercial routes of the two countries and emphasized on the increase of border trade.

12. Both Heads of Government suggested that businessmen and entrepreneurs of Bangladesh and Myanmar explore investment possibilities in Bangladesh and Myanmar and take advantage of the enormous opportunities for extending bilateral cooperation in the area of tourism development in providing opportunities for people-to-people contacts.

13. Myanmar and Bangladesh signed the following Agreement/Memorandum of Understanding.

A. Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh,

b. Memorandum of Understanding on Establishment of Joint Business Council (JBC) between the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).

14. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh thanked the President of Myanmar and the Government and the People of Myanmar for the warm and gracious hospitality extended to her and the members of her delegation during their stay in Myanmar.

15. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh extended a warm invitation to the President of Myanmar and wife Daw Khin Khin Win to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time. The President of Myanmar thanked the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and accepted her invitation with immense pleasure, dates for which would be fixed by mutual consultation through diplomatic channel.

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