Bangladesh-Belgium to commence Foreign Office Consultations

Bangladesh-Belgium to commence Foreign Office Consultations

DHAKA, Oct 28, 2021 (BSS) –

Bangladesh and Belgium have decided to
commence Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) as bilateral consultation
mechanism to further enhance the ties between the two nations.

   A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard has been signed on
Tuesday between Bangladesh foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen and his Belgian
counterpart Theodora Gentzis at Belgian foreign office in Brussels, a foreign
ministry press release said here today.   

   Before signing the instrument, the two sides discussed a wide range of
bilateral issues covering the Covid-19 situation, trade and investment, new
economic opportunities in Bangladesh and cooperation in the field of
education, medical research and culture.

   Bangladesh’s request to be delisted from the Covid-19 “Red Zone” of the
Belgian Government was reiterated in the backdrop of the improved COVID
situation in Bangladesh.

   Both the Secretaries agreed to enhance the cooperation in the trade and
investment sector, in particular, in the sectors of ICT, Pharmaceuticals,
medical research, training and education.

   Bangladesh also conveyed its readiness to receive Belgian trade and
investment missions while in reply, Belgian side expressed their willingness
to exchange more business delegation.

   Both sides also discussed celebration of the 50 years of establishment of
diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2022 through exchange of
high-level visits, and organising cultural and business events.

   On the Rohingya crisis, President of the Steering Committee of the Belgian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, ‘Rohingya Crisis is not a national issue,
it is a regional issue”, and Belgium will continue its support towards the
repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar.

   Foreign Secretary is on a two-day visit to Belgium for the 4th Bangladesh-
EU Diplomatic Consultations.