Help govt step up regional cooperation

Foreign Minister Dipu Moni yesterday called on the opposition parties to help the government strengthen cooperation with the regional countries, particularly with India, for the greater interests of the country.
If the opposition leaders blindly oppose the government, just for the sake of opposition, in its efforts to maintain good relationship with India, the country will not be able to move forward, she added.
Dipu said this while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on 'South Asian regional cooperation: Problems and possibility' organised by Bazlur Rahman Foundation at the National Press Club in the city.
She also said that there is no alternative for Bangladesh but to establish a close rapport with India.
"India's import trade costs $300 crore per year, and we should take it as a chance to run our trades," she said.
The government is relentlessly working to develop both bilateral and multilateral cooperation among the South Asian nations to resolve different problems regarding security, technology, water sharing, electricity, environment and culture.
Hasanul Huq Inu MP said a comprehensive security structure should be built for the South Asian region through building confidence among the countries.
He hoped that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would take an initiative in this connection.
Bazlur Rahman Foundation President Khondker Ibrahim Khaled presided over the seminar, which was also addressed by former adviser CM Shafi Sami, former diplomats Muhammad Zamir and Mostafa Faruque Mohammad, Centre for Policy Dialogue Executive Director Mustafizur Rahman, senior journalist Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury, Editor of the News Today Reaz Uddin Ahmed and Editor of the New Age Nurul Kabir.
Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury was also present.