Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today said Bangladesh is working to revive the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and actively pursuing ASEAN membership.
“We envision Bangladesh as a key bridge between SAARC and ASEAN. Our application for a Sectoral Dialogue Partnership with ASEAN is a step toward eventual full membership,” he said.
The Chief Adviser made the remarks as President of Finland Alexander Stubb enquired about the foreign policy direction of Bangladesh’s interim government at a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN Headquarters here in the USA.
During the meeting, the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues, including the upcoming general elections in Bangladesh, United Nations reform, the Rohingya crisis, the Russia-Ukraine war, Bangladesh’s bid to join ASEAN, the trials of Sheikh Hasina and her associates, and the country’s efforts to access hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan.
Prof Yunus expressed gratitude to the international community for its continued support for the interim government since it assumed office in August last year.
“International support for our government over the past 14 months has been overwhelming,” he said.বিস্তারিত