Berlin, Oct 25: German chancellor Angela Merkel has said Bangladesh has failed to achieve its expected development even after 40 years of independence due to its long-time military rule.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the chancellery in Berlin on Tuesday, she said the civil society of the country should come forth for its development.
Germany will continue its support to Bangladesh, she added. She had a meeting with Hasina before the press conference, which Hasina said was ‘highly fruitful’.
“The visit is a milestone in our existing relations,” she added.
Merkel welcomed Hasina when she arrived at the chancellery in the noon (local time).
The Bangladesh prime minister was given red-carpet reception and a guard of honour. At the beginning of the press meet, Merkel remarked on Germany’s good relations with Bangladesh and hoped to further it.
Bangladesh’s economic conditions are good and things will get better in the days ahead, Merkel said.
“Bangladesh is moving towards poverty alleviation under the strong leadership of Sheikh Hasina,” she said.
The chancellor said at the meeting she and Hasina had discussed how Germany could help Bangladesh in battling climate change, improving the standards of primary and secondary education, and stemming the flow of urban migration.
Hasina said Germany was a tested friend of Bangladesh. “Germany has always aided the socio-economic development of Bangladesh,” she added.
She thanked Merkel for her creative role in managing the affairs of Germany and European issues amid the global economic turmoil.
Hasina invited the German chancellor to visit Bangladesh. “I hope you will soon come to visit Bangladesh,” she said.
Merkel expressed her interest to visit Bangladesh but said she did not know if it would be possible soon.
Hasina at this point said, “We are both woman leaders. I hope you will accept this invitation from me.”
Merkel replied by saying, “I know you are inviting me as a woman leader and I hope to go to Bangladesh as the German chancellor.”
When asked whether there had been any discussions on financing the Padma bridge, Merkel said there had been no such discussions.
Hasina said, “We did not discuss Padma bridge. But Germany continues to support Bangladesh in infrastructure development and we hope the support will continue.”
Hasina started for home from Tegel Airport at around 5pm local time. Bangladeshi ambassador to Berlin Masud Mannan and German foreign ministry officials were there to see her off.
Bangladesh Prime Minister called for continuing the existing German economic cooperation with Bangladesh and enhancing German support in sustainable development projects.
The Chancellor gave the Prime Minister her assurance of offering the best cooperation in Bangladesh’s economic development programme and infrastructure development.
Sheikh Hasina extended her thanks to Merkel for facilitating the signing of two joint declarations—one for cooperation in the field of health and the other for climate change.
She also asked for more German investment and technology support in the renewable energy and infrastructure building sector in Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh and Germany have signed two joint declarations of intent on climate and health.
The declarations— Cooperation in the field of adaptation and mitigation of climate change and Cooperation in the field of health—were signed in the presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Berlin’s Hotel Adlon on Tuesday.
Bangladeshi ambassador to Berlin Masud Mannan told reporters after the signing that economic cooperation and development minister Dirk Niebel promised a grant of €10.9 million to Bangladesh.
Foreign minister Dipu Moni signed the climate declaration for Bangladesh, while minister Niebel signed for Germany.
Health Minister AFM Ruhal Haque signed the declaration on health for the country, while parliamentary state secretary for health Annette Widmann Mauz signed for Germany.
At another function, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday said her government is encouraging participation of women in all national spheres, particularly in politics, as women empowerment is vital for real and sustainable democracy.
She said her government is making stride to give democracy a firm footing through strengthening the parliamentary practices and media as well as empowering women.
The Prime Minister, who is now in the German capital to attend World Health Summit, was addressing a dinner hosted by German-South Asia Parliamentary Group (GSAPG) at Regent Hotel here last night.
She said the government is also making efforts to strengthen all democratic institutions such as Election Commission, Human Rights Commission and Anti- Corruption Commission.
“I believe only democracy can lead to sustainable development of people and nation,” she said, adding, “I learned this from the political career of my father and the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.”
But, the brutal killing of the Father of the Nation along with his family members in 1975, put an end to Bangladesh’s democratisation process, she said.
“After taking office in 1996, we again aimed to continue Bangabandhu’s efforts in establishing firmly the democratic principles and ideals in our country,” Sheikh Hasina said.
Health Minister AFM Ruhal Haque, Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni, Ambassador At-Large M Ziauddin, Principal Secretary to the PM Sheikh Whaid Uz- Zaman, and PM’s Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad were also present. bdnews24.com, BSS
Source: theindependentbd.com
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