US, Bangladesh discuss trade, democracy and Rohingya issue.
Ambassador of the United States to Bangladesh
Brent T. Christensen today paid a courtesy call on Speaker of the Jatiya
Sangsad (JS) Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, at his JS Bhaban office in the
capital.
During the meeting, Hafiz Uddin said the journey of relations between
Bangladesh and the United States had advanced since the country's Liberation
War in 1971.
He recalled the contribution of former US diplomat Archer Kent Blood in
support of Bangladesh during the Liberation War and said the two countries
were passing an important milestone in their friendly bilateral ties, said a
press release here.
"The latest parliamentary election in Bangladesh had been held in a free and
fair manner," the speaker said, adding that the people of Bangladesh had
always struggled against authoritarianism.
He stressed that Bangladesh could achieve genuine prosperity only through
democracy.
The two sides underscored the importance of duty-free access for Bangladeshi
products to the US market.
They also exchanged views on increasing foreign direct investment
cooperation, strengthening people-to-people contacts, observing Democracy Day
through parliamentary caucus forums, US assistance in recovering laundered
money from Bangladesh, and easing public suffering caused by the ongoing
energy issue through oil and gas exploration in Bangladesh.
Hafiz Uddin Ahmad briefed the US Ambassador on the Rohingya issue and sought
a stronger role from the United States in resolving the issue.
Ambassador Christensen congratulated the Speaker on his election to the post
of Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad.
Members of the US Embassy delegation and relevant senior officials of the
Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat were present at the meeting.
