THE People’s Republic of Bangladesh celebrates its National Day today. Bangladesh and the Philippines have had a very deep-rooted friendly relation since the birth of Bangladesh. The Philippines supported the liberation of Bangladesh and recognized it on February 24, 1972. The Philippine ambassador to the United Nations spoke in favor of the nation during its liberation struggle and also during Bangladesh’s admission to the United Nations in 1974. At the beginning of diplomatic relations, Bangladesh’s ambassador to Indonesia and Thailand was concurrently accredited to the Philippines.
President Ziaur Rahman paid a state visit to the Philippines in May, 1980. The important outcome of that visit was the establishment of a resident mission in each other’s capital. A trade and cultural agreement was signed. In 1997, President Fidel V. Ramos paid a state visit to Bangladesh. Numerous agreements/memorandums of understanding have been signed for cooperation in various fields.
Over the years, the two countries have supported each other’s candidacies in a number of international organizations. The Philippines was one of the first countries to commit its support to Bangladesh’s candidature for United Nations Security Council (UNSC) non-permanent membership for 2000-2001 and for the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) in 2000. In 2003 and 2006, the Bangladeshi government supported the Philippines’ application as Observer Status in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC). Bangladesh is a leading member of the OIC and is a member of the OIC’s Committee of Eight which has been tasked to monitor developments relating to the implementation of the 1996 Philippines-Moro National Liberation Front Peace Agreement.
We congratulate the people and government of Bangladesh led by H.E., President Iajuddin Ahmed and its Embassy in the Philippines, headed by H.E., Ambassador Muhammad Abul Quashem, on the occasion of their National Day.
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