June 24, 2021- (TDI): A telephone conversation was held between Mr. Motegi Toshimitsu, the Foreign Minister of Japan, and Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen, the Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. During the conversation, Minister Motegi congratulated the Bangladeshi FM on the 50th anniversary of the independence of Bangladesh and mentioned his intention for cooperation to realize a ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’ and work towards the development of the Japan-Bangladesh Comprehensive Partnership.
Minister Momen appreciated Japan’s long-standing support and assistance since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and requested the provision of vaccines. Minister Motegi on the other hand expressed his appreciation towards Bangladesh for accepting displaced people from the Rakhine State, Myanmar. He stated that Japan will keep supporting them with the intention to shed some burden off the host communities. In response, Minister Momen reiterated the importance of repatriation of these displaced people. Finally, the two foreign ministers agreed to cooperate towards the growth of their bilateral relations as they are nearing the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between their respective countries next year.
