Do not punish the whole world to punish one country: PM to US

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the United States to steer away from punishing the people of the whole world in a bid to punish one country.

"The US has put a number of sanctions on Russia which is ultimately affecting the global economy," the prime minister said yesterday during the inauguration of the newly constructed 8-storey office building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sheikh Hasina also said Bangladesh will give importance not only to politics but also to economic diplomacy as the world has turned into a global village, reports the UNB.

"It is a matter of great regret that amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has already put the whole world in a crisis, the Russia-Ukraine war began," said the prime minister.

The war has affected the whole world. Also, the sanctions put on Russia by the US has affected the procurement and import of products in Bangladesh as well as disrupted the supply chain, said the premier.

She said the people of the US itself are also being affected by the sanctions, so the country should consider this and withdraw the sanctions.

"A country cannot be controlled with sanctions," said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Regarding the repatriation of Rohingyas, she said it is difficult for the 16 crore people of Bangladesh to bear the burden of the Rohingya population. The prime minister thus called upon the developed countries to take initiative for repatriating the Rohingya refugees to Myanmar.

Sheikh Hasina said her government is trying to increase food production through optimum use of its arable lands to meet the domestic demand and help others too.

"But to boost food production we need fertiliser, diesel and other related materials. We are not getting the inputs," she said.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen also spoke at the event.

The prime minister also conferred the Bangabandhu Medal for Diplomatic Excellence awards at the event.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Poland Sultana Laila Hossain and Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ito Naoki were honoured with "Bangabandhu Medal for Diplomatic Excellence" for their significant contributions in diplomacy.

The charge d'affaires of the Japan embassy in Dhaka received the award on behalf of ambassador Ito Naoki.

Momen, on behalf of the prime minister, handed over the medals to the recipients.

Ambassador Sultana has played an important role in dealing with the exodus of hundreds of Bangladeshis in one of the largest migration crises in Europe, following the war between Russia and Ukraine in February.

Ambassador Naoki was honoured for playing an important role in boosting bilateral relationship with Bangladesh on all fronts.

The awardees, connected to the programme virtually, expressed their appreciation for being honoured.

PM Hasina also unveiled a book titled "Bangabandhu Corners Around the World" at the event.