Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Bangladesh and the United States on Saturday signed a joint declaration on Bangladesh-US Partnership Dialogue for deepening bilateral ties in addressing bilateral, regional and global issues to the mutual benefit of both the countries through regular consultations.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton signed the umbrella agreement after the official talks at the Prime Minister office in the capital Dhaka Saturday evening.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina witnessed the signing of the document.
“We believe that a strong partnership between Bangladesh and the United States, working together to further mutual peace, security and development, is in the interests of the people of Bangladesh, the United States and the world,” the declaration said.
It also said: “As we look to the challenges of the 21st century, our shared interests and values, including respect for human rights and the rule of law, should guide our collective engagement on addressing the challenges of our time.”
“Leveraging the values of tolerance, respect for human rights, inclusion and resilience of Bangladesh society, including a robust civil society, we intend our broader collaboration to be anchored in a strong bilateral development partnership focused on joint development priorities, including food security, maternal and child health, family planning, climate change, strengthening democracy, youth and women’s empowerment, among others,” it noted.
The two countries reiterated their support for the United Nations system, underscore the value UN-led peacekeeping and peace building initiatives, and note Bangladesh’s singular contribution to such activities.
“We affirm our dedication to deepening dialogue in security cooperation, including in combating terrorism, violent extremism, and transnational crime, such as narcotics trafficking, piracy and trafficking in persons and arms,” the declaration said.
It also said the two countries intend to develop deeper and broader people-to people ties, including through educational and cultural exchanges, encouraging innovation and expanding commercial and trade relations by building on the creativity and rich diversity of the two societies.
“We further support the exchange of information, skills and technology bilaterally, regionally and globally to promote new economic opportunities for our citizens.”
The declaration said that to advance these and other shared objectives, and to review and give strategic direction to the bilateral relationship and its wide array of ongoing and future cooperative activities. “We intend to hold regular, annual consultations under a Partnership Dialogue.”
The Dialogue will be led at the level of Foreign Secretary/Under Secretary of State and held at times mutually convenient to both parties, alternating between our respective capitals.
“We also intend to hold periodic consultations at the Foreign Minister-Secretary level,” the deceleration said.
BBN/SSR/AD-05May12-11:50 pm (BST)
