US Special Envoy Gor talks 'great opportunities' with PM on economic cooperation, partnership
US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor on Saturday said “great opportunities” exist between Bangladesh and the United States and the two countries can achieve real results by working together.
He laid emphasis on strengthening economic cooperation and enhancing partnership between the two countries.
"Today, I called on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to discuss the great opportunities between the US and Bangladesh to strengthen economic cooperation and enhance our partnership," the US Special Envoy said after the meeting.
Gor said this is a priority for the United States, and working together, they can achieve real results.
The US Special Envoy on Friday urged international partners to step up their support for the Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar, which is home to more than one million Rohingyas sheltered by Bangladesh.
"The United States has supported this camp and urges our partners around the world to increase their contributions," said Gor while visiting the Rohingya camp in Cox’s Bazar.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen, among others, was present.
"On Friday, I visited the Rohingya refugee communities in Cox’s Bazar with Ambassador Christensen. This is the largest refugee camp in the world, hosting over one million refugees," said the US Special Envoy.
He visited a Rohingya camp in Ukhiya of Cox's Bazar, leading a 14-member high-level delegation.
According to the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC), the delegation visited Camp-4, where they observed activities of the World Food Programme (WFP), including its humanitarian assistance operations for the displaced Rohingyas.
The US Special Envoy met Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Thursday evening.
"It was great to meet Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman during my first visit to Bangladesh and discuss working together to strengthen the US-Bangladesh relationship. Lots of positive developments," Gor said on Thursday night.
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur said bilateral relations between Bangladesh and the United States are moving in a very positive direction, noting that they will build on the achievements they have made so far.
"Our engagement with the US is not limited to one meeting. We remain engaged on all aspects and at all levels, and the relationship is moving forward," he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday night after his meeting with Gor at the State Guest House Padma.
The United States has updated its travel advisory for Bangladesh, and the improvement in the advisory "reflects growing US confidence" in Bangladesh's overall security environment and stability, Dhaka said on Thursday night.
The overall travel advisory has been lowered from Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) to Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution), reflecting that Bangladesh is safer for travel, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said.
The positive development follows the "productive" bilateral meeting held in Dhaka between Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman and US Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor.
Immediately after the meeting, Gor conveyed the development to the Foreign Minister in a text message, the Ministry said.
Over the past six months, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the present government has achieved visible progress in strengthening law and order across the country, Dhaka said.
The decision also underscores the positive trajectory of the longstanding partnership between Bangladesh and the United States.
The government of Bangladesh views the improvement as recognition of its sustained efforts to ensure security, stability, and an enabling environment for international travel, trade, investment, and people-to-people connectivity.