Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today said Bangladesh is working to revive the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and actively pursuing ASEAN membership.<\/p>\n
“We envision Bangladesh as a key bridge between SAARC and ASEAN. Our application for a Sectoral Dialogue Partnership with ASEAN is a step toward eventual full membership,” he said.<\/p>\n
The Chief Adviser made the remarks as President of Finland Alexander Stubb enquired about the foreign policy direction of Bangladesh’s interim government at a meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN Headquarters here in the USA.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues, including the upcoming general elections in Bangladesh, United Nations reform, the Rohingya crisis, the Russia-Ukraine war, Bangladesh’s bid to join ASEAN, the trials of Sheikh Hasina and her associates, and the country’s efforts to access hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan.<\/p>\n
Prof Yunus expressed gratitude to the international community for its continued support for the interim government since it assumed office in August last year.<\/p>\n