Staff Correspondent:

BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers on Thursday signed the agreement on “BIMSTEC Maritime Transport Cooperation”, marking a significant step towards enhancing regional connectivity.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, in his statement, highlighted Bangladesh’s commitment to ensuring collective peace, progress and prosperity through a shared BIMSTEC vision.

Hossain participated in the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand, with the participation of the Foreign Ministers from the BIMSTEC Member States.

He stressed the tangible, and result-oriented cooperation, including through effective implementation of the BIMSTEC FTA enhancing  intra-regional trade.

The Foreign Affairs Adviser raised the issue of 1.2 million Rohingyas sheltered in Bangladesh and stressed on creating conducive atmosphere in Myanmar for the return of 1.2 million Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals to their land with rights and security.

The BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers also finalised the draft provisional agenda for the 6th BIMSTEC Summit and the draft of the Summit Declaration, which will be considered at the upcoming Summit scheduled to be held on Friday.

The BIMSTEC Foreign Ministers agreed to hold the 21st BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting in Dhaka.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of the report of the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting.