Alam on Tuesday also recalled with gratitude the Belgium’s recognition of Bangladesh as an independent state in February 1972….reports Asian Lite News
Ambassador of Belgium to Bangladesh, Didier Vanderhasselt, called on Bangladesh’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam at the latter’s office, during which the minister expressed satisfaction over the ever-growing bilateral relations between the two friendly countries.
Alam on Tuesday also recalled with gratitude the Belgium’s recognition of Bangladesh as an independent state in February 1972.
Appreciating Bangladesh’s socio-economic growth, the Ambassador of Belgium touched upon the “very fruitful” visit of Queen Mathilde of the Belgians to Bangladesh in February.
Alam thanked the Belgian Ambassador for leading a regional trade mission to Bangladesh to explore business opportunities and sought Belgium’s supports in developing agri-business facilities in Bangladesh, particularly in storage, transport, and processing fields.
He also observed that enormous trade and investment opportunities exist between the two countries, particularly in agri-business, renewable energy, port and road transport infrastructure, dredging, logistics, water purification, and other sectors.
The two sides also discussed various other bilateral and international issues of mutual interest, including regular bilateral consultations, trade facilitation measures, consular cooperation, migration and mobility, Bangladesh-EU cooperation, Belgium’s EU Presidency in 2024, and cooperation on elections in different international fora among others.
Genocide day
Bangladesh wants March 25 to be recognised as International Genocide Day and thus requests United Nations to take measures, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Saturday, according to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.
On Saturday, Bangladesh PM presided over Awami League’s parliamentary board’s meeting at her official Ganabhaban residence and called upon the world community including the UN to recognise March 25 of 1971 as International Genocide Day. In the meeting, she said, “The Pakistan occupation forces committed killings since this day (March 25, 1971). We want the 25th of March to be recognised as International Genocide Day. So, I urge the world including the United Nations to take measures.”
Bangladesh PM further stated that the Pakistani occupation forces had resorted to attacks on unarmed Bangalees on the dreadful night of March 25 in 1971 and continued the killings for nine months. at least 30 lakhs people were killed and 3 crore people became homeless as their houses were burnt to ashes at that time.
“Out of the total of 7 crore people, 3 crores were homeless and one crore took shelter as refugees in India,” she said. (ANI)