Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Bangladesh hoped that the incident in the immediate past when a hydrocarbon-exploration rig was placed by Burmese side in the Bay waters claimed by Bangladesh would not recur, Foreign Advisor Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said in Dhaka on Monday.
“While we believe in peace, we will do all that is necessary to protect our territory,” Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury said after the chief of Burmese negotiation delegation met him on the day.
Deputy Foreign Minister of Burma U Maung Myint, the head of the visiting Burmese delegation, paid a courtesy call on the foreign advisor at the latter’s ministry office in the capital, Dhaka on Monday afternoon to discuss the issue of maritime boundaries.
It was reported that the delegation for maritime boundary-delimitation talks discussed a number of bilateral issues, including the subject of maritime boundaries.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, the foreign advisor said it was his hope that the maritime boundary demarcation between the two neighbours would be resolved peacefully through negotiations.
He noted that the issue was a “complex one” and the two sides are likely to agree to continue their talks on the subject, with the next round of negotiations taking place in Myanmar.
Dr. Chowdhury further stated that the talks were ongoing at the time of the call, and most likely the two sides would be able to sign on a “Minutes of Discussions”.
BBN/SI/SS/AD-18November08-10:59 AM (BST)
