Democracy
in Bangladesh has taken firm roots since 1990. Today, its ramifications
have spread deep and wide, thereby institutionalizing democratic
thoughts and processes. The most recent elections were held
on October 1, 2001, with a voter turnout of more than 75 per
cent, and with unprecedented number of women voters participating.
Begum Khaleda Zia has firmly responded
to the outstanding endorsement and triumph of democracy in Bangladesh
as shown again by the recent electoral outcome by initiating
a series of forward-looking measures to shore up the image of
Bangladesh, make the economy of Bangladesh dynamic and promote
broad-based people-centric development. She has also taken sound
steps to ensure Bangladesh's enduring contribution to international
cooperation for collective approaches and concerted global actions
in areas of mutual and common interest.
The immediate neighbours occupy a place of central
importance in Bangladesh's foreign policy. It is Bangladesh's
unwavering commitment to maintain close and friendly relations
with its neighbours. The visit of Special Envoys from a number
of neighbouring countries close on the heels of the formation
of the new government and Bangladesh's very concrete matching
steps have helped to renew and reinvigorate its bond of friendship
with its regional neighbours. Begum Khaleda Zia is
determined to carry forward these relations to new heights so
that peoples across South Asia can live in harmony resulting
from the fruits of uninterrupted peace, progress and stability.
Bangladesh has equal and vital stake in developing
social, economic and cultural ties with friendly countries in
the Far East, South East Asia, Africa, Middle East and the West.
Its close bonds of friendship with countries in these regions
are wide in their scope and rich in contents. Begum Khaleda
Zia has the keen desire to deepen these relations further so
that the ever-growing friendship contribute to collective well-being
and interest. Bangladesh will thus continue to explore the possible
avenues of cooperation and enrichment of the economic contents
of her relation with all her friends beyond South Asia.
It is not without significance that Bangladesh played
a key role in pioneering the establishment of SAARC (South Asian
Regional Cooperation) under Sheheed President Zia. Its commitment
to SAARC remains unwavering. Under Begum Zia Bangladesh took
the initiative to hold the postponed and stalled twelfth SAARC
Summit, held in Kathmandu from 4 to 6 January 2002. The Government
of Begum Zia is committed to strengthen the SAARC process and
also to accelerate regional cooperation.
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Bangladesh
aims to extend cooperation much beyond the sub-region, Bangladesh
shares the same development goals, objectives and aspirations
and faces many problems similar to other developing countries.
The solutions to these development hurdles lie in similar approaches
and learning from others’ experiences. She is, therefore, deeply
committed to forge greater South-South Cooperation.
In the larger global context, promotion of world
peace and stability remains one of the enduring objective of
Bangladesh. A testimony to its commitment lies in its efforts
and contribution to the UN peacekeeping operations around the
globe. Bangladesh is currently the largest contributor of UN
peacekeepers, a position it often had held for long also in
the past.
Under the leadership of Begum Khaleda Zia Bangladesh
is committed to work with like-minded countries to ensure a
more growth- oriented international financial programme, responsive
and sensitive to the needs and requirements of the developing
countries. We believe that reforms in the international system
should underwrite not only the sustained growth and sustainable
development of developing countries, but also provide an in-built
mechanism to avoid economic volatility or sudden financial crises.
Bangladesh, under Begum Khaleda Zia, has
firmly responded to the recent terrorist events, particularly
of September 11. The attacks have brought irrevocable changes
and inevitable hardship for many. Yet Bangladesh believes that
it resulted in a common resolve to confront and condemn all
such irrational and mindless acts of violence against government
and societies. Bangladesh stands committed to fight against
terrorism in all its forms and manifestations by whoever and
wherever it is committed. Bangladesh has pledged total support
to the concerted efforts of the international community to confront
this scourge.
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