KUWAIT CITY, April 25: The Ambassador of the Republic of Bangladesh to the State of Kuwait Major General MD Ashiquzzaman affirmed that March 26 is the Independence Day and National Day of Bangladesh. He explained that Bangladesh’s independence was achieved through a long political struggle that lasted 23 years and ended with the War of Independence in 1971. The ambassador said, “This year, we celebrate the 54th anniversary of Bangladesh’s independence and National Day, as well as 50 years of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Kuwait”. During the celebration on the occasion of Bangladesh’s Independence Day which was held the day before yesterday evening in the presence of the Minister of Social Affairs and Community Development Sheikh Firas Al-Malik, he said, “I would like to recall the deep and historical relationship of friendship and brotherhood between Bangladesh and the State of Kuwait.

Grateful
The people of Bangladesh will remain grateful to Kuwait because Kuwait is the first Gulf country to recognize Bangladesh after its independence. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1974, Bangladesh and Kuwait have enjoyed excellent bilateral cooperation in a wide range of fields including political, economic, export and import, trade and investment, manpower, agriculture, education, tourism and defense sectors. We also sincerely appreciate the support of the Kuwait Arab Development Fund in establishing several infrastructure projects that have had a significant impact on our social and economic developments.” The Bangladesh government is committed to continue strengthening the bilateral cooperation with Kuwait in all fields. For mutual benefit, the two countries pledged to identify new areas for mutual cooperation such as food security, health security, climate change, renewable energy, green technology, information and communications technology, digital transformation, etc.

The military cooperation between Bangladesh and the State of Kuwait is very special. After the liberation of Kuwait from 1991 to date, the Bangladesh Military Contingent (BMC) has been operating here under the command of the Kuwait Armed Forces in a project called Operation Kuwait Punargathan (OKP). At present, about 5,000 members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces are deployed with the Kuwait Armed Forces, as cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries shows the confidence of His Highness the Amir in Bangladesh. At the turning point of the golden jubilee of diplomatic relations, we sincerely believe with firm confidence that our excellent relationship will be further strengthened through the wise and rational leadership of both countries in the coming days. The Bangladesh government has been consistent in supporting our foreign policy of “friendship to all, hostility to none” as declared by the Father of the Nation.

Humanitarian
Ladies and gentlemen, despite being a densely populated country, we have sheltered millions of Rohingyas, and forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals in Bangladesh, for humanitarian reasons only, as Bangladesh believes in a peaceful solution to this problem.” The ambassador expressed his gratitude to the government of the State of Kuwait, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Kuwait and other organizations for their continued support in this humanitarian issue. He said, “We call on the United Nations and the international community, including Myanmar, to take early and effective measures to find a lasting solution to this problem and return everyone to their homeland, Myanmar, in dignity, safety and security.”

The ambassador condemned the killing of innocent civilians, including women and children, demanding an immediate end to Israeli atrocities in Palestine. He said, “We firmly believe that the two-state solution is the only viable way to ensure lasting peace in the region. We reaffirm our firm support for the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people through the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state.” The ambassador extended his sincere appreciation to the Amir of the country, His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad, the Deputy Amir and Prime Minister, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya, and all previous leaders and the brotherly people of the State of Kuwait “for their continued support for us and our citizens residing in Kuwait over the past five decades.” He also stated that the volume of trade between the two countries by 2023 reached about two billion dollars.

By Fares Al-Abdan
Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff