Dhaka, Jun 27 (V7N) – Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has said Malaysia has assured Bangladesh of its support for joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), while China has pledged maximum cooperation in implementing the Teesta project by accelerating the feasibility study process.
He made the remarks at a press briefing held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday afternoon following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's official visits to Malaysia and China.
The foreign minister said Malaysia had expressed its willingness to support Bangladesh's aspiration to become a member of ASEAN, describing the move as a significant step toward strengthening the country's regional engagement.
Regarding the Teesta project, Dr. Khalilur Rahman said China had agreed to expedite the feasibility study and provide extensive assistance for the project's implementation.
Highlighting the outcomes of the Prime Minister's China visit, the minister said the tour had yielded more substantial results than the visit made by the former Chief Adviser during the interim government, arguing that the elected government's long-term mandate had enabled deeper strategic cooperation.
"The interim government had only a short tenure, whereas a long-term partnership has now been established with the elected government. Many of the expectations from the previous visit have been realized on a much larger scale through this visit," he said.
The foreign minister also said China had reaffirmed its strong commitment to assisting Bangladesh in resolving the Rohingya crisis.
He noted that the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) had previously played a role in resolving the Rohingya issue and expressed confidence that the current government would continue working toward a lasting solution.
Speaking at the same briefing, Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir said a historic memorandum of understanding (MoU) had been signed between the BNP and the Communist Party of China, marking a new chapter in relations between the two political parties.
He said China had also expressed its willingness to assist Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in various areas of governance and had shown interest in becoming a long-term development partner of Bangladesh.
According to the adviser, the Prime Minister's visit has elevated Bangladesh's relations with both China and Malaysia to a new level.
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud said Chinese investors had expressed interest in expanding their investments in Bangladesh, including proposals to develop a green city with private investment.
He added that discussions also focused on accelerating industrial investment and creating more employment opportunities across the country.
Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud expressed optimism that the outcomes of the Prime Minister's visit would translate into several significant government initiatives over the next three months, delivering long-term economic benefits for Bangladesh.
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