CA , Japanese PM reaffirm strategic partnership
Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim government, and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba held a bilateral meeting in Tokyo on Friday.
Recalling the long-standing friendship between the two nations since Bangladesh’s independence, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership. They also reiterated their shared vision for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), emphasising the importance of peace, stability, and shared prosperity across the region.
Both sides engaged in discussions on international and regional matters, reaffirming their commitment to enhancing cooperation to ensure peace and stability in the region and beyond, while upholding the principles of the United Nations Charter. They further affirmed their support for multilateralism based on the rule of law and democracy.
The leaders held in-depth discussions on bilateral relations and issues of mutual interest in a candid manner. Prime Minister Ishiba reiterated Japan’s full support for the Interim Government of Bangladesh, led by Professor Yunus, in its nation-building efforts, reform initiatives, and endeavors toward a peaceful transition.
Yunus expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for its continued support in fostering sustainable economic growth and development in Bangladesh, particularly in advancing Japan-Bangladesh bilateral relations through projects under the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) Initiative, including the Moheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative (MIDI).
In this regard, both sides welcomed the signing of the Exchange of Notes for the Development Policy Loan for Economic Reform and Strengthening Climate Change Resilience, as well as the loan agreement for the construction of the Dual Gauge Double Line between the Joydebpur and Ishurdi sections (Phase I).
Both parties also welcomed the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and Memorandums of Cooperation (MoCs), including those on the One Stop Service (OSS) system at BIDA, installation of prepaid gas meters, establishment of a factory for battery-operated cycles, launching a pilot project for information security, and land agreements with the Bangladesh Special Economic Zone (BSEZ), aimed at promoting Japanese investment in Bangladesh.
They underscored the importance of concluding the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in a mutually beneficial manner and instructed their respective ministries and negotiating teams to accelerate talks to reach an agreement as soon as possible.
Both sides reiterated their commitment to further strengthen political and security cooperation, including the early delivery of five patrol boats to the Bangladesh Navy under Japan’s Official Security Assistance (OSA) program. They welcomed the fact that the two governments have agreed in principle on the Agreement concerning the Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology, expressing hope for its early conclusion.
The leaders also discussed ways to promote people-to-people exchanges, including skilled human resource development, and agreed to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries. In this regard, Professor Yunus thanked Prime Minister Ishiba for Japan’s continued support for human resource development in Bangladesh, including the Human Resource Development Scholarship Project.
Ishiba commended Bangladesh for temporarily sheltering the forcibly displaced persons from Rakhine State, Myanmar, and for its continued humanitarian assistance. Professor Yunus expressed appreciation for Japan’s humanitarian aid to these displaced persons, including those in Bhasan Char. Japan reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to this issue.
Both sides shared the view that a sustainable, safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of the displaced persons to Myanmar is the ultimate solution to this crisis, essential for peace and stability in the region. They also recognized the importance of sincere dialogue among all relevant stakeholders to resolve the crisis.
Yunus expressed sincere appreciation to Prime Minister Ishiba and the people of Japan for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his delegation and invited Prime Minister Ishiba to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.