Switzerland, Bangladesh agree to work together in global forums

Bangladesh and Switzerland have agreed to work together in the global forums including the UN.

They took the decision on Sunday at the second Foreign Office Consultation (FOC), also known as political consultations, held in Dhaka.

Additional Foreign Secretary Mizanur Rahman led Bangladesh delegation while Assistant State Secretary for Asia and Pacific of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland Johannes Matyassy led his side.

The foreign ministry after the meeting in a statement said both delegations agreed to work on “common values” in the UN and other international and regional organisations including the Asia-Europe Meeting, ASEM.

Both countries joined the ASEM in November, 2012

They also agreed “to continue to work together” at global level in the areas of migration and climate negotiations.

They discussed bilateral cooperation in various sectors including trade and investment, development, human rights, cultural exchanges, renewable energy, and connectivity.

Bangladesh will co-host with Switzerland and Norway in Khulna the South Asian Regional Consultation on “Climate Change, Disasters and Human Mobility in South Asia and Indian Ocean” from Apr 3-5 this year.

Different governments of South Asian and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) countries are expected to participate in the regional consultations which will be held as a part of the Nansen Initiative.

The Swiss side appreciated Bangladesh for co-hosting the event.

The political consultation began following the MoU signed in Swiss capital in Bern in February 2012.

Additional Secretary Rahman said Bangladesh’s founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s vision was to follow Switzerland as “a role model” and make Bangladesh a “Switzerland of the East”.

Both sides appreciated the establishment of the political consultation mechanism as this would make bilateral interaction “possible on a regular basis”.

The next consultation will take place in Bern, Switzerland, the foreign ministry said, without specifying the dates.

Meanwhile, the Swiss delegation met Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali and Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque on Sunday.

The delegation will also pay a courtesy call on the Speaker of the Parliament on Monday.