Japan-Bangladesh Relations
Japan-Bangladesh Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
November 19, 2017
On Sunday, November 19, from 8 a.m. (local time) for approximately 45 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on his visit to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, held a meeting over breakfast with H.E. Mr. Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1 At the beginning, Minister Ali welcomed the visit of Minister Kono to Bangladesh, expressed the view that the two countries enjoy amicable relationship that encompasses people-to-people exchanges, including at the summit level, as well as cultural exchanges, and explained that in particular, the people of Bangladesh feel deep gratitude for the consistent support extended by Japan, including 600 billion yen of assistance. In addition, Minister Ali showed gratitude to the Government of Japan for demonstrating a clear intention to continue economic cooperation with Bangladesh even after the terrorist attack in Dhaka, and explained that Bangladesh will continue to take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens.
In response, Minister Kono stated that a large number of precious lives were lost in the Dhaka terrorist attack, but as a good development partner, Japan will continue to cooperate on Bangladesh’s development on all fronts so that the country can attain “newly industrialized economy” status by 2021. Minister Kono explained that he intends to further deepen the bilateral relationship under the Japan-Bangladesh Comprehensive Partnership.
2 Minister Kono highly appreciated that the Government of Bangladesh is accepting the displaced persons who are flowing into Bangladesh as a result of the attacks in Rakhine State, that it is responding with the utmost efforts to the humanitarian perspective, and that it is making efforts to resolve the current crisis through dialogue with the Government of Myanmar. In addition, Minister Kono explained Japan’s position of solidly supporting the Government of Bangladesh’s efforts toward a permanent solution, including the repatriation of displaced persons, and that in addition to the emergency assistance Japan has provided thus far, it has decided to provide a total of 18.6 million U.S. dollars of assistance (note) through international organizations as support for areas that are a high priority to the growing number of displaced persons, such as food.
(note) 15 million U.S. dollars of newly-decided Emergency Grant Aid (United Nations World Food Programme) and a new allocation of 3.6 million U.S. dollars from the UNHCR (UN High Commissioner for Refugees)’s initial budget expenditure.
3 In response, Minister Ali explained Bangladesh’s humanitarian efforts for the displaced persons and its ongoing dialogue with the Government of Myanmar aimed at a permanent solution, along with expressing gratitude for the support extended by the Government of Japan, including the support of the UN Security Council (UNSC) Presidential Statement. The two sides shared the view that Japan and Bangladesh will continue to collaborate closely.
4 Minister Kono explained Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy, and Minister Ali explained that Bangladesh concurs with principles such as freedom of navigation and the rule of law in this region and is happy to be part of Indo-Pacific concept.
5 Minister Kono explained the importance of maximizing pressure on North Korea, including by implementing UNSC resolutions, and of promptly resolving the abductions issue. Minister Ali stated that Bangladesh strongly supports Japan’s position on North Korea.
6 Minister Kono expressed the view that the UN system is not based on the international community’s current circumstances and reform is needed. Minister Ali stated that Bangladesh supports Japan becoming a permanent member of the UNSC, and the two sides shared the view that Japan and Bangladesh will continue coordinating to realize the UNSC reform.
7 Minister Kono welcomed Minister Ali to visit Japan, and Minister Ali expressed interest in visiting Japan as early as next year. The two sides decided that the visit will be coordinated in the future.
1 At the beginning, Minister Ali welcomed the visit of Minister Kono to Bangladesh, expressed the view that the two countries enjoy amicable relationship that encompasses people-to-people exchanges, including at the summit level, as well as cultural exchanges, and explained that in particular, the people of Bangladesh feel deep gratitude for the consistent support extended by Japan, including 600 billion yen of assistance. In addition, Minister Ali showed gratitude to the Government of Japan for demonstrating a clear intention to continue economic cooperation with Bangladesh even after the terrorist attack in Dhaka, and explained that Bangladesh will continue to take all possible measures to ensure the safety of Japanese citizens.
In response, Minister Kono stated that a large number of precious lives were lost in the Dhaka terrorist attack, but as a good development partner, Japan will continue to cooperate on Bangladesh’s development on all fronts so that the country can attain “newly industrialized economy” status by 2021. Minister Kono explained that he intends to further deepen the bilateral relationship under the Japan-Bangladesh Comprehensive Partnership.
2 Minister Kono highly appreciated that the Government of Bangladesh is accepting the displaced persons who are flowing into Bangladesh as a result of the attacks in Rakhine State, that it is responding with the utmost efforts to the humanitarian perspective, and that it is making efforts to resolve the current crisis through dialogue with the Government of Myanmar. In addition, Minister Kono explained Japan’s position of solidly supporting the Government of Bangladesh’s efforts toward a permanent solution, including the repatriation of displaced persons, and that in addition to the emergency assistance Japan has provided thus far, it has decided to provide a total of 18.6 million U.S. dollars of assistance (note) through international organizations as support for areas that are a high priority to the growing number of displaced persons, such as food.
(note) 15 million U.S. dollars of newly-decided Emergency Grant Aid (United Nations World Food Programme) and a new allocation of 3.6 million U.S. dollars from the UNHCR (UN High Commissioner for Refugees)’s initial budget expenditure.
3 In response, Minister Ali explained Bangladesh’s humanitarian efforts for the displaced persons and its ongoing dialogue with the Government of Myanmar aimed at a permanent solution, along with expressing gratitude for the support extended by the Government of Japan, including the support of the UN Security Council (UNSC) Presidential Statement. The two sides shared the view that Japan and Bangladesh will continue to collaborate closely.
4 Minister Kono explained Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy, and Minister Ali explained that Bangladesh concurs with principles such as freedom of navigation and the rule of law in this region and is happy to be part of Indo-Pacific concept.
5 Minister Kono explained the importance of maximizing pressure on North Korea, including by implementing UNSC resolutions, and of promptly resolving the abductions issue. Minister Ali stated that Bangladesh strongly supports Japan’s position on North Korea.
6 Minister Kono expressed the view that the UN system is not based on the international community’s current circumstances and reform is needed. Minister Ali stated that Bangladesh supports Japan becoming a permanent member of the UNSC, and the two sides shared the view that Japan and Bangladesh will continue coordinating to realize the UNSC reform.
7 Minister Kono welcomed Minister Ali to visit Japan, and Minister Ali expressed interest in visiting Japan as early as next year. The two sides decided that the visit will be coordinated in the future.