The meeting reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and explored future areas of cooperation of mutual interest, according to a joint communique‚ issued following the consultations.
Representational Image. Photo: Collected
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Representational Image. Photo: Collected
Bangladesh and South Africa today (21 May) agreed to strengthen political, economic and multilateral cooperation as the two countries held the sixth round of Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Pretoria after a six-year hiatus.
Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam led the Bangladesh delegation while the South African side was headed by Ambassador DE Malcomson, Acting Deputy Director-General for Asia and Middle East at South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, during the consultations held in Pretoria, said a foreign ministry’s press release here.
The meeting reviewed the entire spectrum of bilateral relations and explored future areas of cooperation of mutual interest, according to a joint communique’ issued following the consultations.
The two sides underscored the longstanding relations between Bangladesh and South Africa forged through solidarity, friendship and cooperation, while marking the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
They expressed regret over the six-year gap in diplomatic consultations caused mainly by the COVID-19 pandemic and agreed to intensify high-level exchanges and institutional engagements to further deepen bilateral ties.
During the meeting, Bangladesh requested South Africa to establish a resident diplomatic mission in Dhaka, while the South African side assured that the matter would be considered in the near future.
The two countries welcomed the significant growth in bilateral trade and economic relations, noting that stronger commercial ties could contribute to employment generation and economic growth in both countries.
Bangladesh also invited a South African trade delegation to visit Bangladesh to explore new investment and business opportunities.
The consultations highlighted cooperation in sports, particularly cricket, alongside people-to-people exchanges, arts and culture. Bangladesh appreciated South Africa’s scholarship offer for young Bangladeshi cricketers and sought expanded scholarship opportunities for Bangladeshi students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
The two sides also agreed to regularly review cooperation in priority sectors including agriculture, defence, transport and education.
On multilateral issues, Bangladesh and South Africa stressed the importance of closer coordination in international forums to advance the interests of the Global South.
As members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), both countries reaffirmed the significance of the Indian Ocean and Blue Economy in promoting sustainable development and regional prosperity.
The meeting also exchanged views on regional and global developments and agreed to expedite the implementation of decisions taken at the sixth consultations, including the finalisation of pending agreements and memorandums of understanding.
It was also agreed that the seventh Foreign Office Consultations would be held in Dhaka in 2027 on dates to be decided through diplomatic channels.
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