2024-09-17 00:50:22
Malaysia has supported Bangladesh’s bid to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). On Sunday (September 15) Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organized in the capital in a speech titled ‘Bangladesh-Malaysia Relations: Journey to Prosperity’, High Commissioner of Malaysia to Bangladesh Haznah Md. Hashim said.
At this time, the High Commissioner reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to strengthen relations with Bangladesh in his speech.
Haznah Md. Hashim said, ‘Under ASEAN, the 10 member countries hold equal status and no one can unilaterally reject the membership offer. As a close friend I can say, one day this door will open for you (Bangladesh).’
He said, ‘We are your faithful friends. This has been proven since the beginning of your independence. We are reaching out to our Bangladeshi friends.’
Referring to discussions with Bangladesh’s chief adviser on the ASEAN membership bid, Hashim stressed Malaysia’s “open support” for Bangladesh’s membership bid.
He also highlighted the importance of expanding Bangladesh-Malaysia bilateral relations in areas such as trade, investment, labor migration, technical and industrial cooperation, human resource development, diplomacy and cultural exchange.
He gave valuable suggestions to improve the current status of Bangladesh-Malaysia relations and also gave directions for deepening the cooperation between the two countries in the future.
Bangladesh Additional Foreign Secretary Ambassador M Riaz Hamidullah was present as a special guest on the occasion.
High Commissioner Hashim presented the keynote. BIISS Chairman Ambassador AFM Gausul Azam Sarkar presided over the session.
BIISS Director General Major General Iftekhar Anis delivered the welcome address. The speech was followed by an open discussion on how to further strengthen Bangladesh-Malaysia relations.
The program also resumed the BIISS Country Lecture Series, which was interrupted due to the Covid pandemic.
The lecture series, first launched in 2013, aims to enhance Bangladesh’s understanding with partner countries and explore opportunities for bilateral cooperation.