Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) – US Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman paid a courtesy call on the Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni, MP on Friday at the Foreign Ministry in the capital Dhaka.
They discussed a host of issues of mutual interest concerning Bangladesh and the USA, a foreign ministry press statement said.
Ms. Sherman commended the progress Bangladesh has been making in promoting democracy, countering terrorism, women empowerment, poverty alleviation, trade & commerce etc. She stressed that it is in the interest of the US that Bangladesh elevates itself to become a prosperous and peaceful country.
In response to a proposal made by the US Under Secretary of State on a broader partnership dialogue between the two countries, the foreign minister suggested that a Joint Commission could be formed as a mechanism to conduct such dialogues on a regular basis to deal with the entire gamut of the growing bilateral relations between the two countries.
The US Under Secretary of State, while touching upon the issue of Grameen Bank which is an internal issue of Bangladesh, – as pointed out by her, expressed optimism that the Bank will continue to flourish under the new management.
Foreign Minister Moni assured Ms. Sherman that that GoB attaches utmost importance to the interest of the borrowers of the Bank, most of whom are women, and the issue will receive the highest consideration of the Government.
During the discussion, Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni inquired about the outcome of the request made by Bangladesh on the repatriation of AM Rashed Chowdhury, the self confessed killer of the Bangabandhu, who has been staying in the US.
Turning to the regional issues, both Foreign Minister Moni and Under Secretary of State Sherman shared the positive developments that are taking place in the region where Bangladesh has been an active player. They also noted the changes in Myanmar which both the countries are favourably disposed with.
BBN/SSR/AD-07Apr12-11:40 am (BST)
