DHAKA, Feb 8, 2022 (BSS) - Bangladesh and Japan today jointly

celebrated their 50-year of establishing bilateral ties vowing to
further strengthen the bonds of amity and cooperation.

  Japanese Embassy here and Bangladesh foreign ministry organised an
event this afternoon to celebrate the historic milestone of the two
nation at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.

   Video messages of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Japanese
counterpart Fumio Kishida were played while Message of
Japan-Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship League President Taro Aso
was also read out.

  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio
Kishida have issued separate goodwill video messages on the occasion
of the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations.

  Both the Prime Ministers congratulated the people of the two
friendly countries on this momentous occasion. Japan officially
recognized Bangladesh as an independent state on 10 February, 1972.

  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in her message, expressed the
gratitude of the people of Bangladesh for the precious support and
contributions of Japan and its people during Bangladesh's War of
Liberation.

  She highlighted the historic visit of the Father of the Nation
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan in October 1973, which laid
the foundation of a steadfast and lasting friendship between the two
countries.

  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina mentioned the solid foundation of
bilateral relations between the two countries, poised to be raised
from "Comprehensive Partnership" to "Strategic Partnership" in the
near future.

   She acknowledged the sustained economic cooperation and support of
Japan and expressed the hope that last fifty years' enviable
cooperation would remain an inspiration for the coming fifty years for
mutually beneficial gains.

  Bangladesh Prime Minister sought Japan's support for an early
voluntary and sustainable repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas
to their homeland Myanmar as Dhaka and Tokyo share common views on
resolving the crisis.

   Japanese Prime Minister, in his message, reiterated Japan's
commitment to strengthen bilateral ties with Bangladesh.

   He referred the visit of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Japan in October 1973 as the solid base in
the history of bilateral relations between the two countries.

  Highly appreciating the socio-economic progress of Bangladesh under
the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he reaffirmed Japan's
commitment to stand beside Bangladesh for the mutual benefits of the
two peoples.

  He assured Japan's continued support to resolve the Rohingya crisis.

  Foreign Minister Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, who joined as the chief
guest recalled with gratitude moral and material support provided by
the Government and people of Japan to Bangladesh's War of Liberation.

  He also paid deep respect to the "Friends of Bangladesh" from Japan,
whom Bangladesh has awarded for their invaluable contributions to the
independence of Bangladesh.

   He also highlighted Bangabandhu's historic visit to Japan in
October 1973, which laid the solid foundation of bilateral relations
between the two countries.

  Foreign Minister Momen expressed gratitude to Japan for being the
largest development partner of Bangladesh.

   Ambassador of Japan Ito Naoki highlighted the robust multifaceted
cooperation between the two countries, especially in the areas of
infrastructure development, trade, investment and people-to-people
contacts.

   He assured Japan's continued cooperation for the socio-economic
development of Bangladesh as well as repatriation of Rohingya people.

   Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen also spoke at the celebration event.

   Colorful dance performances at the courtesy of Bangladesh
Shilpakala Academy were also presented at the ceremony.

  Chairmen of BIDA, BEPZA, BEZA and high-level representatives from
Japanese business community in Bangladesh, among others, attended the
event.