DHAKA: Bangladesh Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and his Malaysian counterpart Anifah Aman agreed on strengthening regional cooperation to solve the worsening Southeast Asia migrant crisis.

The two minister reached the consensus at the Fourth Meeting of the Malaysia-Bangladesh Joint Commission held in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah in Malaysia on Sunday, said a press release issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Bangladesh Delegation was led by the Foreign Minister Mr. Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali MP while the Malaysian Delegation was led by the Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman.

Both the leaders acknowledged the importance of continued cooperation with other countries in the region to find a coordinated response to prevent the growing menace of irregular movements of people involving human smuggling and trafficking in persons and its eventual solutions, the release added.

The meeting was preceded by a Senior Officials’ Meeting, led by Additional Foreign Secretary, held in a warm and cordial atmosphere on May 16.

While the two leaders were pleased with the current state of bilateral relations, both sides expressed hope and confidence that regular exchange of visits, including at the highest level, as well as regular contacts and interaction between leaders and officials would continue to be the driving force behind the development of productive and mutually beneficial relations between both countries.

According to press release, during the meeting the whole gamut of bilateral issues between Malaysia and Bangladesh were discussed in details.

Both the Foreign Ministers agreed to further explore the potentials for bilateral trade and investment for mutual benefit of the two peoples.

They also discussed in details on the employment of Bangladesh workers in Malaysia, possible cooperation in the fields of infrastructure development, tourism, culture, education, agriculture and science and technology.

Both sides agreed to explore the option to use existing platforms such as Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA) and Bangladesh Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) to organize the Bangladesh-Malaysia Investment Forum.

Bangladesh side also requested the Malaysian side to take further steps to recruit more workers from Bangladesh and requested Malaysia to consider opening other potential sectors for Bangladesh workers.

Both sides agreed to establish institutional cooperation mechanism between the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MMD) and the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) to promote the exchange of seismic measurement data in real time and sharing of knowledge, experience and good practices on tropical meteorology.

While the two sides resolved to conduct the Joint Commission meeting on bi-annual basis, in view of the importance of this mechanism in strengthening bilateral relations they also agreed to establish Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between the two Foreign Ministries in order to further strengthen and consolidate the existing relations.

Recognizing the significance of the International Mother Language Day, Bangladesh side proposed for the construction of a Shaheed Minar in Malaysia. The Malaysian side took note of the idea in order to consider it once proposal from Bangladesh side is sent.

The Foreign Minister met his counterpart at a bilateral meeting and discussed in details the entire gamut of the bilateral relations. He then handed over a letter to the Malaysian Foreign Minister reiterating Bangladesh’s interest to become ASEAN Dialogue Partner. The Malaysian Foreign Minister assured of Malaysia’s support in this regard.

The Foreign Minister also paid a courtesy call on the Chief Minister of the State of Sabahon the sideline of the meeting and discussed various issues of bilateral interest. At the invitation of the Malaysian Foreign Minister, the Foreign Minister also attended a Malaysian traditional Harvest Festival.

The meeting was concluded with signing of a 31-point Joint Agreed Minutes by the two Foreign Ministers.

Both the Foreign Ministers agreed to hold the fifth Joint Commission Meeting in Dhaka in 2017 at a mutually convenient date.

BDST: 1722 HRS, MAY 17, 2015
HB/RS/SMS