Tried to protect interests of Bangladesh, its people: PM on Malaysia, China visits
'If any positive thing has been achieved, it is an achievement for Bangladesh. If the people of the country have gained any achievement through these visits, that achievement belongs to them,' says Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (27 June) told parliament that his recent visits to Malaysia and China were guided solely by the interests of Bangladesh and its people, saying any achievements from the tours belong to the nation rather than any person.
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"What I have tried to do, Honourable Speaker, from my position is to speak for the interests of my country and the people of my country and to protect those interests," he said.
The prime minister said this while extending thanks and gratitude to all members of Parliament, including the Opposition Leader, for unanimously adopting a thanksgiving motion in the House on his visit, reports UNB.
He said the people of Bangladesh entrusted his government with the responsibility of safeguarding their interests.
"The core issue here is that the people of Bangladesh have given us the responsibility to look after their interests," Tarique said.
Referring to his party's "Bangladesh First" slogan, he said, guided by that principle, they tried to uphold and protect the interests of Bangladesh and its people during the visits.
"None of us has any personal issue here. If any positive thing has been achieved, it is an achievement for Bangladesh. If the people of the country have gained any achievement through these visits, that achievement belongs to them," he said.
Tarique returned home from Beijing on Friday, wrapping up his six-day maiden overseas visit.
Bangladesh and China on Friday unveiled an extensive joint communiqué during Tarique's visit to Beijing, announcing an upgraded bilateral partnership alongside agreements spanning trade, infrastructure, defence, connectivity and regional cooperation.
Among the key outcomes are China's support for the Teesta River Comprehensive Management and Restoration Project, backing for Bangladesh's aspirations to participate in BRICS as well as become a partner of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, plans for new strategic dialogue mechanisms and commitments to deepen cooperation in investment, ports, education and climate action.
The two countries signed 17 memoranda of understanding (MoUs) during the visit, Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Spokesperson Mahdi Amin said.
Before that, the prime minister on 22 June urged Malaysia to open its labour market to Bangladeshi workers as soon as possible and recruit more Bangladeshis.
During the visit, an MoU on cultural cooperation was signed in the presence of the prime ministers of the two countries.
Jatiya Sangsad yesterday unanimously adopted a motion expressing thanks to the PM for what lawmakers described as the "extraordinary success" of his official visits to Malaysia and China.
The motion was moved at the beginning of the day's sitting by LGRD Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and was passed by voice vote following a brief discussion.
Placing the motion, Fakhrul said the tour was of great significance for Bangladesh as it further strengthened the country's relations with Malaysia and China.
Taking part in the discussion, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said PM Tarique's official visits to Malaysia and China have set a "benchmark" not only for Bangladesh's politics but also for the country's future relations with the rest of the world.
