Khalilur seeks Singapore support for Asean, RCEP aspirations

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman today (23 July) sought Singapore's support for Bangladesh's aspirations to become an Asean Sectoral Dialogue Partner and join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), alongside efforts for a sustainable resolution of the Rohingya crisis.

He made the call during a bilateral meeting with Singapore Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan in Manila on the sidelines of the Asean Regional Forum (ARF) Foreign Ministers' Meeting, said a foreign ministry's press release here. 

During the talks, the two foreign ministers discussed ways to deepen bilateral cooperation and agreed to translate the existing excellent diplomatic and people-to-people relations between Bangladesh and Singapore into further mutually beneficial actions.

Rahman specifically requested Singapore's support for Bangladesh's aspiration to become a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and join the RCEP, one of the world's largest free-trade arrangements.

He also sought Singapore's support in efforts to find a sustainable resolution to the protracted Rohingya crisis.

The two sides agreed to further promote trade and investment, skilled migration and reciprocal support within multilateral organisations.

They also agreed to continue ongoing efforts to conclude a free trade agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and Singapore.

During the meeting, Balakrishnan congratulated Rahman on his election as President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Rahman assured his Singaporean counterpart that the concerns and interests of small states like Singapore would remain high on his priority agenda during his UNGA presidency.

The Singapore foreign minister acknowledged the valuable contribution of the Bangladeshi expatriate community to Singapore's economic development and welcomed skilled migration from Bangladesh to the city-state.