FS holds fruitful discussions with US on reform initiatives

Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin, currently on an official visit to the US, has held series of productive meetings with high officials of the state department in Washington DC on the reform initiatives taken by the Bangladesh’s interim government.

At the meeting with the US Under-Secretary Uzra Zeya, the foreign secretary had fruitful discussions on the reforms of the democratic institutions and upholding of democratic values, accountability of human rights violations, humanitarian response and sustainable solutions to the Rohingya crisis, and labour rights issues.

The meeting reflects the strong and growing cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States (US) in promoting democratic values and addressing key human rights concerns, according to a message received here today.

At a separate meeting with Acting Under Secretary for Political Affairs John Bass, they discussed ways to deepen bilateral collaboration building on the momentum in the Bangladesh-US relationship and to advance impactful cooperation in priority areas.

The foreign secretary also had a productive meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma affirming renewal of commitment to deepen and expand bilateral ties, strengthen collaboration on areas of mutual interest.

Their discussions focused on the US technical and financial support to reform initiatives of the interim government and addressing challenges, Rohingya issue, labour law reforms, etc.

At the meeting with Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for South Asia Lindsey W Ford at the White House, Jashim had discussions on diverse issues with the US.

They discussed interim government’s reform agenda, democratic transition, economic and security issues, regional stability, Rohingya crisis and labour law.

The foreign secretary also met Assistant USTR for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch and discussed mutual cooperation to diversify export, DFQF access of RMGs produced from cotton imported from US, simplification of registration and reduction of registration fees for pharmaceutical products, labour law reforms, and access to US International Development Finance Cooperation (DFC).

Besides, a luncheon meeting between the foreign secretary and State Department’s key officials focused on a wide range of issues of mutual interests.

US officials include Assistant Secretary Ambassador Donald Lu, Acting Assistant Secretary Marta C. Youth, Deputy Assistant Secretary Nicole Chulick, Deputy Assistant Secretary Monica Ager Jacobsen, as well as Director Alla P. Kamins attended the lunch.

The foreign secretary visited New York before his tour to Washington and is scheduled to leave Washington on October 14. (BSS)