Address
by H.E. Mr. M. Morshed Khan, MP, Foreign Minister
of Bangladesh
as
Chief Guest at
the inaugural ceremony of "The Exhibition On
30
years of Germany In The United Nations".
the
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
Wednesday
16
February 2005
"Goethe
Institut"
German
Cultural Centre
Dhaka.
Prof.
Salahuddin Ahmed, Guest of Honour
His
Excellency Mr. Dietrich Andreas, Ambassador of the
Federal Republic of Germany,
Member
and Office Bearer of the 'Goethe-Institut'
Distinguished
Participants,
Excellencies,
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
I
am delighted to be here at the inauguration of this
exhibition on 30 years of Germany in the United Nations.
The German Embassy and the Goethe Institut deserve
special thanks for organizing the exhibition.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
The
entry of the two Germanies into the United Nations
on 18 September 1973 was the culmination of protracted
negotiations in a bygone world order. It was also
a clear indication that the two Germanies were linked
by a common destiny. That shared destiny has in the
course of succeeding decades reunited the two Germanies
- a contributing
member to the international community. Germany is
an old and trusted friend of Bangladesh. Our friendship
has deepened over the years despite transformations
in domestic and international politics. We recall
with gratitude that the then GDR was the first country
in Europe to recognize Bangladesh after her Independence
in 1971. We value our relations with Germany, a country
that is admired for her independent
foreign policy and her remarkable economic success.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
Bangladesh
and Germany share similar views on many international
issues. We share with Germany the principles of peace,
democracy, justice and the rule of law on domestic
as well as international planes. Both of us recognize
that global challenges could be addressed only on
the basis of cooperative partnership. We are convinced
that only the protection of human rights and the rule
of law could guarantee stability and peace. Germany
and Bangladesh are active in promoting the objectives
and values of the UN in order to see them implemented
and respected around the world. Our common objective
is to equip the United Nations to respond adequately
to such global challenges as conflict prevention,
the population explosion and environmental protection.
We
need the United Nations to help people who are in
desperate need of help from natural disasters and
armed conflicts. Wherever
the UN was allowed to take its rightful role and responsibility
and where it was provided with necessary support,
it has achieved success, durable peace and stability.
Bangladesh
believes in the UN and has confidence in the capacity
of the UN to address emerging issues of global import.
We see the world body as the source of inspiration
and support in our national, regional and international
endeavors.
We
in Bangladesh recognize that an effective UN is central
to collective management of world affairs. It is in
this forum that we establish common standards, universal
values and shared programmes. We therefore believe
the Organization deserves the support of all nations.
Germany
has demonstrated its willingness to play an active
role in the UN efforts to maintain global peace through
her participation in peacekeeping operations in various
parts of the world.
Our involvement in this area is universally
recognized.
Ladies
and Gentlemen,
The
Millennium Development Goals are our roadmap to the
principles of the Charter and human freedom. We thus
welcome the recently published Millennium Project
Report. The Report, 'Investing
in Development' provides
the much needed guidance on how humanity should work
towards achieving the MDGs on time. The
report, together with the report of the High-level
Panel on Threat, Challenges and Change will form a
very important basis for the work that lies ahead.
It is our hope that this would help stimulate global
dialogue on development and lead to submission of
specific recommendations for political discussion
at the High-level Plenary Meeting in September this
year.
We hope that Germany will be actively engaged in this
process and contribute to building a world of peace,
stability and development.
I
would like to record our appreciation for the valuable
development cooperation that Bangladesh receives from
Germany in the areas of health, energy and economic
reform. We hope that the recent declining trend in
German assistance to Bangladesh will be reversed,
given Bangladesh's investment needs and the international
obligations relating to the Millennium Development
Goals.
With
these few words, Excellencies, distinguished guests,
ladies and gentlemen, I now declare the exhibition
open.
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