Bangladesh, East Timor agree to take relations to new height

Bangladesh and East Timor have agreed to take bilateral relations to a new height, the foreign ministry said. 

President of East Timor José Ramos-Horta is on an official visit to Bangladesh at the invitation of Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. 

A 15-member delegation comprising the foreign minister, principal adviser, chief of state protocol and high officials of East Timor is accompanying the visiting president. 

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus welcomed President José Ramos-Horta at the airport, Saturday evening.

The president was given a warm reception featuring a red-carpet welcome and the ceremonial guard of honour, Sunday morning. 

The visit has historical significance given it is the first-ever official visit by any head of state from East Timor, the foreign ministry said. 

The official engagements started Sunday morning with a welcome call on the president by the Foreign Adviser Ambassador Md Touhid Hossain. 

Chief Adviser Prof Yunus and the president of East Timor held a tête-à-tête followed by a bilateral delegation level talk at the chief adviser’s office.

Both the leaders discussed wide-ranging issues on Bangladesh-East Timor relations which included bilateral, regional and international issues of common interests. 

The chief adviser also briefed the visiting president on the July-August Revolution and the ongoing reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government towards a democratic and a just Bangladesh.

"President Ramos-Horta expressed his support to the interim government’s effort to build a new Bangladesh while appreciating the youth representation in the Advisory Council."

They emphasized enhancing trade and economic relations, acknowledging the potential for growth in bilateral trade. 

They also discussed working hand-in-hand to collaborate on microcredit and social business initiatives. 

Both the leaders acknowledged the importance of concluding Air Services Agreement between the two friendly countries.

They also recognized the significance of cooperation in fields of SMEs, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, education, capacity building, manpower, ICT, and disaster management. 

The chief adviser requested East Timor’s president to consider extending permanent residency to the expatriate Bangladeshis who have been residing there for a long time.

East Timor’s side assured its support for Bangladesh’s bid to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of Asean after assuming full membership. 

Prof Yunus requested the president to support Bangladesh on the issue of the repatriation of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals at the Asean forum for their safe, voluntary and sustainable repatriation. 

President Ramos-Horta expressed his strong support for an early resolution of the protracted crisis. 

A Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of Bilateral Consultation Mechanism (BCM) and an Agreement on Exemption of Visa Requirement for Diplomatic and Official or Service passport holders were signed followed by the delegation level talk.  

Following the MoU signing ceremony, both the leaders appeared before the press to deliberate on the outcomes of their meetings and possible way forward towards strengthening bilateral relations. 

Two Nobel Peace Laureates also underscored the necessity of global peace and stability; and urged the international community to take actions towards resolving the ongoing conflicts in different regions. 

President Ramos-Horta is scheduled to attend Bangladesh’ 54th Victory Day celebration on Monday.

He will also deliver a keynote address on the Challenges of Peace in the contemporary world at a think tank in Dhaka.