DHAKA, Jan 8 (NNN-BSS) — Dhaka today reiterated its call to
Pakistan to offer an official apology for the genocide committed in
Bangladesh’s Liberation War of 1971.
The call was made while the newly appointed High Commissioner of
Pakistan to Bangladesh Imran Ahmed Siddiqui paid a courtesy call on
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam at foreign
ministry, a press release said.
The junior minister also reiterated the importance of resolving
other outstanding bilateral issues with Pakistan including completing
repatriation of Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh and settling the
issue of the division of assets.
During the meeting, the state minister said enhancing relations
with all neighbouring countries was a foreign policy priority of the
government.
“In line with that spirit, we look forward to engaging with
Pakistan”, he said.
He urged Pakistan to grant access to more Bangladeshi products by
utilizing the existing SAFTA provisions, relaxing the negative list
and removing trade barriers as the current trade balance tilts towards
Pakistan.
The Pakistani envoy said that he would give due diligence to
advancing bilateral relations in every possible area of cooperation.
Both the sides agreed on need to hold the long-pending Foreign
Office Consultations, which was last held in 2010. — NNN-BSS
