DHAKA, Feb 1, 2022 (BSS) - Bangladesh and Australia have pledged to

strengthen bonds of friendship on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of
diplomatic relations between the two friendly countries.

   Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison
have issued separate goodwill messages on Monday highlighting the existing
strong bonds of friendship and for directions for the relationship between
the two friendly countries.

   Australian High Commission here hosted a reception on Monday night marking
the occasion at the Hotel Purbani which was the inaugural location of
Australia's diplomatic mission in 1972.

   During the reception, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam
and Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer highlighted
respective government's commitment to further foster bilateral engagement.

   They reiterated the two countries cooperation on COVID-19 recovery, trade
and investment, education, technology and innovation and meaningful
partnership to face regional and global challenges such as climate change,
forced displacement and regional security.

   Alam expressed gratitude for the Australia's bipartisan support for the
cause of Bangladesh's independence in 1971.

   He paid deep respect to the Dutch-Australian Mr. William A S Ouderland,
who valiantly fought beside freedom fighters in Bangladesh's war of
independence and was the lone foreign national decorated with gallantry award
- Bir Protik.

   He also recalled the contributions of Australians like Dr. Geofrey Davis,
Herbert Feith and Anthony Clifton to the War of Liberation in 1971.

   The state minister thanked Australia for being the first country in the
developed world to recognize Bangladesh as a sovereign and independent state
on 31 January 1972.

   He recalled the visit of Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam to
Bangladesh in January 1975 during which Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Prime Minister Whitlam secured an enduring
friendship between the two peoples based on shared commitment to peace,
pluralism, and dignity of people.

  He also thanked Australia for its assistance in the reconstruction of the
war-ravaged Bangladesh and continued socio-economic support to us in the
following decades.

   Alam stated that Bangladesh looks forward to emerging as a key partner of
Australia for the benefits of the people of the two countries and economies
as well as regional security.

   Australian High Commissioner Jeremy Bruer stated that Australia also looks
forward to strengthening cooperation with Bangladesh for shared recovery from
the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic, as well as expanding business
relationship between the two countries.

   He said, on this day 50 years ago Australia's Foreign Minister, Nigel
Bowen, announced that "Australia had recognised the government led by Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman as the government of the new state of Bangladesh". We're very
proud that Australia was one of the first countries in the world to recognise
Bangladesh in January, 1972.

   High Commissioner Bruer and State Minister Alam unveiled a plaque
indicating the inaugural location of Australia's diplomatic mission in 1972
at the Purbani Hotel.

   Bruer also presented to Alam a framed copy of the Australian Cabinet
minute dated 25 January 1972 recording the Australian Government's decision
to recognise the government of Bangladesh, and a Department of Foreign
Affairs Press Release from 31 January 1972 announcing Australia's recognition
of Bangladesh.

   Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen also joined the event.

  Earlier, on that day Australian High Commissioner Jeremy Bruer paid tribute
to those who gave their lives in the struggle for independence at the
National Martyrs' Memorial.