Bangladesh has established its right on sea: Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said Bangladesh's rights over its maritime boundary have been established and the resources available within the territory will be utilised for the welfare of the people.

She was speaking at the Bangladesh Administrative Service Asssociation's annual conference on Wednesday at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at the Netherlands has ruled that Bangladesh is entitled to 19,467 sq km of area out of the estimated total disputed 25,602 sq km maritime area.

After a resolution of the maritime boundary conflict with Myanmar two years ago, the Awami League views this resolution with India as a success.

"You know we have already resolved many problems that we had. We have achieved our rights over the sea," Hasina said, in her first official reaction to the boundary verdict.

"Now we have realised our share from India. Inshallah! we will utilise the resources earned through this maritime victory for the welfare of the people," she said.

The prime minister also had some pieces of advice for the civil servants, who are the members of the association.

"Bangladesh is now a role model for development on the world stage and we want that to continue.

"We do politics with a goal and ideology. That goal is to ensure development and welfare of the people. We are the servants of the people," she said.

The prime minister said the success and implementation of government programmes and projects depend largely on public servants.

"I hope you will continue to move the country forward by implementing the government's projects."

"We're elected for just five years. We stay for a short time and want to do a lot of work. For that your cooperation is crucial," Hasina said.

She reminded the civil servants that their salaries came from taxpayers’ money.

"So you must keep in mind that it is our responsibility to repay the debt by ensuring a good livelihood for the people," she said.

The prime minister spoke about her government's development work and thanked the officials for their contributions.

Hasina took part in an Iftar with the officials after the programme.