Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Friday (October
4) sought Malaysia’s support for Bangladesh to become a sectoral dialogue
partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
“We congratulate Malaysia’s upcoming chairmanship of
ASEAN in 2025. We discussed the issue of Bangladesh’s inclusion as a sectoral
dialogue partner of ASEAN. We look forward to Malaysia’s active role for
Bangladesh’s inclusion in the regional forum,” he said at a joint press
briefing with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim after a bilateral meeting
at Hotel InterContinental.
Recalling the existing friendly relations between the
two countries, Prof Yunus said Malaysia is a long time friend of Bangladesh.
He said the Anwar Ibrahim’s tour is important as is
the first visit of the prime minister of any country to Bangladesh after the
interim government assured the office two months back. This visit acknowledges
the Malaysia’s support to the interim government, he added.
About the bilateral talks between the two leaders, he
said both of them committed to revitalize longstanding bilateral issues.
The chief adviser said the talks focused on the
unprecedented mass movement, the second revolution of Bangladesh.
Noting that the students scarified their lives for
their freedom and building a discrimination-free new Bangladesh, he said the
interim government is committed to building an inclusive and just Bangladesh.
“To fulfill the aspirations of the mass people, we
appreciate the unwavering support and cooperation of our brotherly country,
Malaysia,” he added.
Mentioning that bilateral relations flourish shared
values, trust and appreciation of people’s interest, Prof Yunus said they
discussed the areas of cooperation, trade and investment, and culture during
their talks.
He said they also discussed the safe repatriation of
forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Bangladesh to Myanmar.
The chief adviser said he requested the Malaysian
Prime Minister to pursue the Rohingya issue at ASEAN forum to resolve the
long-pending issue.
“We acknowledge the regular bilateral meeting at the
foreign adviser and foreign secretary levels,” he said.
Mentioning about the fourth joint commission meeting
to be held in Dhaka next, he stressed the need for signing a free trade agreement
between the two counties.
He said they also discussed exploring the possibility
of cooperation in agriculture, energy, connectivity, blue economy, science,
innovation and defense and also increasing the number of Bangladeshi workers in
Malaysia.
“We express our firm commitment and determination to
work closely to elevate our bilateral relations to a new height,” Prof Yunus
said.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim arrived in the
city this afternoon on an official visit at the invitation of Chief Adviser
Professor Muhammad Yunus.
On his arrival around 2:00 PM, the Malaysian PM was
received by the Chief Adviser at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA)
where he was given a guard of honour.