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Abu Dhabi keen to deepen ties with Dhaka


Bangladeshpost
Published : 20 Jan 2021 09:25 PM | Updated : 21 Jan 2021 12:39 AM

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is keen to deepen its relationship with Bangladesh on all fronts, said Abdulla Ali AlHmoudi, Chargé d’Affaires at the UAE embassy in Dhaka.

In an exclusive written interview with Bangladesh Post, the UAE diplomat recently said his country and Bangladesh have been enjoying the best relations for decades, which has reached a new height in recent years.

Mentioning that the ties are based on the principles of cooperation and mutual respect, he expressed hope that the existing excellent relations would be further expanded in-depth and dimension in coming days.

In reply to a query about the normalisation of his country's relations with Israel, AlHmoudi said, "Our ties with Palestine are very deep rooted in the political and economic affairs. Most importantly, both countries are a part of the Middle Eastern region and share close cultural ties. There are thousands of Palestinian migrants currently living and working in the UAE."

“The UAE's agreement to normalise relations with Israel is focused to deal with the threats facing the two-state solution, specifically annexation of the Palestinian territories. The return of the two-state solution to the negotiating table is undoubtedly an accomplishment. That's why the Palestinian authorities should thank the Emirati diplomacy,” he continued.

The Arab diplomat further mentioned that developing normal ties “in return for this is a realistic approach”. The decision of the UAE is a sovereign one that was already preceded by Egypt and Jordan.

He went on saying that support for the deal also has come from usual Arab countries like Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain and Oman and that the international community has also welcomed the deal.

AlHmoudi said if Israel wants to live in peace in the Arab region, and if the Arab states want, then there should be agreements with other Arab states which serve the interests of both parties.

The UAE diplomat continued saying that Israel and Arab states in the Middle East and North Africa have historically been in a state of conflict since the creation of Israel in 1948. “This historic diplomatic breakthrough by the UAE will advance peace in the Middle East region.”

The UAE diplomat said the normalisation is a testament to the bold diplomacy and vision and the courage of the UAE and Israel to chart a new path that will unlock the great potential in the region. It would continue to support the Palestinian people as well, he added.

He expressed hope that the diplomatic developments will also help increase interaction among the people of these countries, benefiting all sides. 

In response to another question, AlHmoudi said day by day the world is getting closer. “People’s thinking is no more confined to a territory. To open the horizon for the people, the UAE and Israel decided to come closer through an agreement which will be a change maker in the region.” 

Increasing diplomatic exposure has brought the relationship out into the open and signalled possible momentum toward the establishment of formal relations, he observed.

AlHmoudi noted that Bangladeshi skilled and unskilled workers living and working in the UAE are contributing to the economic development of both the countries. The UAE has emerged as the second-largest remittance sourcing nation for Bangladesh. 

The UAE is now one of the leading trading partners and most important foreign investors in Bangladesh, he noted.

The diplomat said that from the beginning of the Rohingya crisis, the UAE has extended its supportive hands towards Bangladesh.

"My country has been sending emergency food reliefs for Rohingya women and children in Bangladesh through humanitarian organisations," he added. 

UAE has also been providing humanitarian assistance to the needy and destitute of Bangladesh through different organisations and initiatives, he concluded.