Momen dissatisfied with Palestinian ambassador's statement about change in passport

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has expressed anger about Palestinian Ambassador Yousef SY Ramadan's  statement regarding the omission from Bangladeshi passports, of the words "Except Israel."

"Bangladesh will take its decision itself. What other countries say is completely irrelevant," said the minister, responding to a query from reporters after a programme at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital today.

He said whatever is said by an ambassador of another country is irrelevant to us. We maintain our foreign policy. We would have been in trouble if we paid heed to what others say.

Bangladesh is a sovereign country. It will decide its own course action, he added.

Earlier on 23 May, Palestinian Ambassador in Dhaka, Yousef SY Ramadan, said it was unacceptable that Bangladesh authorities omitted the words "except Israel" from Bangladeshi passports.