US ambassador calls on foreign minister

The ambassador of the United States in Bangladesh, Earl R Miller, has called on Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen on Wednesday.

They discussed various issues of shared concerns during the meeting held at the foreign ministry, reads a press release.

Their discussion in particular focused on the foreign minister's recent official visit to the USA that took place between 23 and 27 February.

Foreign Minister Dr Momen termed his visit to the US as a successful one, and stated that he had a very fruitful discussion with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The US ambassador also informed that he received good feedback from his capital on the meeting.

Foreign Minister Dr Momen also informed the ambassador about his talks, during the visit, with US Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and five US lawmakers; and about his participation in three events organized by US Chambers, Newlines Institute and the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) respectively.

The minister briefed that he requested the US secretary of state to appoint a special envoy on Rohingya, in order to monitor and put pressure on Myanmar to ensure safe and dignified repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas and urged the US lawmakers he met to support this idea and demand the same.

He also reiterated, during the visit, Bangladesh's strong expectation that the US administration would facilitate the deportation of Rashed Chowdhury, the convicted killer of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman soon.

During the meeting with the US chambers, Dr Momen asked for a three-year moratorium on US tariff on Bangladesh's exports, and also proposed that Bangladeshi readymade garments can be exempted from tariff in exchange of fulfilling the condition of using US cotton.

He and US Special Envoy Jon Kerry agreed to continue close collaboration between two countries in the area of climate change.

He also called for suspension of the GSP facility and imposition of economic sanction on Myanmar by the US.

Bangladesh Foreign Minister also called for legalization of undocumented Bangladeshis in the US during his meetings with US lawmakers.

He sought US cooperation for introducing more renewable energy in Bangladesh, especially through promoting electric vehicles.

The foreign minister invited the US secretary of state to visit Bangladesh this year to participate in the celebration of the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation and the Golden Jubilee of independence, visit the Rohingya camps and witness the socio-economic development Bangladesh has achieved.

The US Ambassador expressed willingness to work closely with the Bangladesh government to follow up the discussion that Dr Momen had in Washington DC with his counterpart and other high dignitaries.

Both sides also expressed satisfaction about the upcoming launching of the US-Bangladesh Business Council in this month.