Remarks by the Hon'ble Foreign Minister at the Reception held on the occasion of the 230th Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America on 04 July 2006 at US Embassy, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka.

Excellencies,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me immense pleasure to join you all this evening to celebrate the Two Hundred and Thirtieth anniversary of the independence of the United States of America. On this auspicious occasion, I convey the heartiest congratulations of the Government and the People of Bangladesh to your Excellency, Ambassador Patricia Butenis, and through you, to the Government and the People of the United States of America.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Bangladesh-US relations are an expression of natural affinities that exist between our freedom-loving peoples. Both our peoples made great sacrifices to achieve their independence in order to protect and promote certain values. It is heartening to note that our values converge - both our countries are committed to common values of democracy, freedom and the rule of law. The friendship between our two countries has matured over the last three and a half decades. Today our two countries are cooperating in many areas for mutual benefit. Bilaterally, we are closely interacting through trade and commerce, economic development and investment, education and culture, and through a broad spectrum of people to people contact. On the global plane, we are cooperating closely to promote and defend democratic values, maintain international peace and stability, and fight international terrorism. Our relations are based on trust and mutual respect. We have stood beside each other at the time of need.

Distinguished Guests,

I take this opportunity to reiterate that the Government of Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is committed to further expanding and deepening the existing relations between our two friendly countries. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Ambassador Patricia Butenis for all her constructive efforts in taking the relations between Bangladesh and the United States to new heights ever since she came to Dhaka.

Long live the friendship between Bangladesh and the United States of America!

I thank you all.