Bangladesh, Japan celebrate 50 years ties vowing to strengthen bonds

Bangladesh and Japan Tuesday jointly celebrated their 50-year of establishing bilateral ties vowing to further strengthen the bonds of amity and cooperation. Japanese Embassy  and Bangladesh foreign ministry organised an event this afternoon to celebrate the historic milestone of the two nation at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.

Video messages of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida were played while Message of Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League President Taro Aso was also read out.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have issued separate goodwill video messages on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations. Both the Prime Ministers congratulated the people of the two friendly countries on this momentous occasion. Japan officially recognized Bangladesh as an independent state on 10 February, 1972.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, expressed the gratitude of the people of Bangladesh for the precious support and contributions of Japan and its people during Bangladesh's War of Liberation. She highlighted the historic visit of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan in October 1973, which laid the foundation of a steadfast and lasting friendship between the two countries.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina mentioned the solid foundation of bilateral relations between the two countries, poised to be raised from "Comprehensive Partnership" to "Strategic Partnership" in the near future. She acknowledged the sustained economic cooperation and support of Japan and expressed the hope that last fifty years' enviable cooperation would remain an inspiration for the coming fifty years for mutually beneficial gains.

Bangladesh Prime Minister sought Japan's support for an early voluntary and sustainable repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their homeland Myanmar as Dhaka and Tokyo share common views on resolving the crisis. Japanese Prime Minister, in his message, reiterated Japan's commitment to strengthen bilateral ties with Bangladesh.

He referred the visit of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan in October 1973 as the solid base in the history of bilateral relations between the two countries. Highly appreciating the socio-economic progress of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he reaffirmed Japan's commitment to stand beside Bangladesh for the mutual benefits of the two peoples. He assured Japan's continued support to resolve the Rohingya crisis.

Foreign Minister Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, who joined as the chief guest recalled with gratitude moral and material support provided by the Government and people of Japan to Bangladesh's War of Liberation. He also paid deep respect to the "Friends of Bangladesh" from Japan, whom Bangladesh has awarded for their invaluable contributions to the independence of Bangladesh.

He also highlighted Bangabandhu's historic visit to Japan in October 1973, which laid the solid foundation of bilateral relations between the two countries. Foreign Minister Momen expressed gratitude to Japan for being the largest development partner of Bangladesh. Ambassador of Japan Ito Naoki highlighted the robust multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, especially in the areas of infrastructure development, trade, investment and people-to-people contacts.

He assured Japan's continued cooperation for the socio-economic development of Bangladesh as well as repatriation of Rohingya people. Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen also spoke at the celebration event. Colorful dance performances at the courtesy of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy were also presented at the ceremony.

Chairmen of BIDA, BEPZA, BEZA and high-level representatives from Japanese business community in Bangladesh, among others, attended the event.