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I. GOALS
1. Fundamental objective remains the promotion
and preservation of Bangladesh’s vital natural interests including
its sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence
and viable economic development.
2. In accordance with Article 25 of the Bangladesh
Constitution our fundamental policy goals include :
* Promotion
of regional and world peace
* Security
and disarmament
* The
cause of economic and social development
* The
central role of the UN in the cooperative management of the
world’s problems.
3. The bottom line for the BNP Government is twofold
:
* How
to project and consolidate our image abroad as a democratic,
stable and contributing member of the world community and
image building majors.
* Strengthen
and promote economic development.
II. ACTION
ORIENTED AGENDA
BNP
government believes that sustained efforts must
be made in all these areas through a more focused and action-oriented
agenda. Main thrust of such an agenda is concentration on
economic diplomacy. This has been brought about by vital new
necessities such as globalization and closer inter-action
between domestic and foreign policies. They have triggered
intense competition for greater access to markets, flow of
resources and investment, transfer of technology and employment
opportunities abroad.
Economic diplomacy cannot be divorced
from the overall goals of development of which the main object
is to reduce poverty and improve living standards. It is now
widely recognized that without an accelerated growth path
of 7 to 8 percent there is little likelihood of making any
dent against poverty.
III. THREE-TIERED FOREIGN POLICY
APPROACH
Sustained efforts must be pursued
on three fronts:
1. BILATERAL
It is the government’s unwavering
policy to maintain close relations with all our neighbours
on the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect and non-interference
in internal affairs as well as settlement of outstanding bilateral
issues through dialogue and negotiation.
2. REGIONAL
BNP government is committed to
maintain positive momentum and credibility of SAARC, to promote
its socio-economic mandate, to create a broad-based climate
of confidence building and to reduce tension in the region.
BNP holds that the most compelling security challenge facing
South Asia is promoting sustainable growth, reform and development.
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BNP
believes that security goes beyond the weapons a nation possesses.
It extends to raising living standards and building stable and
healthy democracies. The link between development and security
in South Asia is crucial. This was the rationale for SAARC.
Its guiding motivation, based on the vision and pragmatism of
its chief architect, late President Ziaur Rahman was to visibly
improve the quality of life of the commonmen in an environment
of peace, harmony and active cooperation.
3. GLOBAL
A cardinal priority for Bangladesh
is to play a leading role, through concrete initiatives mixed
with moderation and pragmatism in all socio-economic forums
to promote the cause of developing countries as a whole and
least developed countries in particular. This calls for strategies
to stop falling investment, restructure and reduce debt, promote
trade and encourage technology transfer.
A fundamental charge is to strengthen
the role of the UN. Our membership of the OIC, the Commonwealth
and NAM has enhanced our representative capacity and increased
our ability to contribute to the great goals of peace,
security, justice and development. Bangladesh’s commitment to
peace keeping manifested itself in the participation of our
military and police contingents in many simultaneous areas of
conflicts. This tradition initiated by BNP will continue
in strength.
BNP remains dedicated to uphold the
cause of unity, peace and progress of the Muslim Ummah. Our
support for the cause of Palestine and for a peaceful and durable
resolution of the Middle East problem including Arab sovereignty,
over Holy Al-Quds is an abiding commitment.
IV. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
We are taking a fresh hard look at the shape
and substance of our foreign policy. We are seeking to forge
a new agenda in keeping with circumstances and our times. Two
crucial elements are underscored :
1. The impact of globalization and
2. New ideas and techniques generated by technology
in general and information technology in particular.
Globalization has profound implication
both good and bad. We need to isolate the negative factors.
Science and technology have closed the information and communication
gap. Economic forces and markets especially the mobility of
capital, labour and business have transcended national frontiers.
Computers, data links, satellite communications, e-mail and
fax recognize no frontiers.
We cannot close the gates on them.
Exchange of information today is wider, faster, freer with tremendous
power to change human affairs. We cannot but open our doors
to fresh ideas and new trends. A real legacy for the people
are not monuments but the reality of peace, freedom of choice
and development. This is what our Foreign Policy aims at.
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