Outgoing US Ambassador Dan W Mozena said he is proud of the current state of partnership between Bangladesh and the USA saying it has never been deeper, broader and stronger than today.
“I reviewed the state of our partnership. It’s never been broader, deeper and stronger than today. I’m very proud of that,” he told reporters after his meeting with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali at the latter’s office on Thursday, UNB reports.
Giving his brief statement, Mozena said having disagreement is an important part of any matured relationship and they identified those issues ‘as fine.’ “I shared with the Foreign Minister that the US and Canada have disagreements. And that’s fine.”
Referring to recently-held Partnership Dialogue between the two countries, Mozena said that was the most ‘constructive engagement.’
The US envoy said they talked about Rohingya situation and mentioned that America supports for the national strategy on the issue. “I renewed America’s commitment to continue to assist with this very challenging problem. We discussed the fact that President Obama has again made it clear that the solution to the problem of Rohingya lies in Burma.”
He thanked the government for facilitating his visit to refugee camps to get better understanding about the issue and for facilitating his 64 districts visit.
Mozena said every year he spends four weeks in the USA for telling Americans about Bangladesh. “Because Americans don’t know the full picture of Bangladesh. They know Rana Plaza and they know things like poverty.”
He said he wants to continue to tell the stories of Bangladesh most of the picture of Bangladesh is unknown to Americans.
The US diplomat admitted that the government facilitated him on all fronts of the partnership between the two countries as it relates to the health, agriculture, global climate issue, security and maritime security. “I’m very happy.”
He also briefed the Foreign Minister on President Barack Obama’s decision to normalise relations with Cuba. “It’s a very important step.”
Mozena turned emotional saying he made this farewell call with a very heavy heart. “I’m actually not psychologically ready to leave but I shall leave and I must. I leave with the heaviest of heart. What to say…”
