International Desk.
Bangladesh has taken a neutral position in the emergency meeting convened by the UN General Assembly on the Ukraine crisis.
Taking part in the debate in the council on Tuesday, Bangladesh stressed the need for a peaceful solution to the crisis through dialogue led by the UN Secretary General. Bangladesh has also reiterated its support for the principles of sovereignty and national integrity enshrined in the UN Charter.
Earlier in the day, the Security Council convened an emergency meeting to discuss the situation in Ukraine. Initiating the debate last Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the attack on Ukraine must stop now. He condemned Russian airstrikes and shelling of civilian areas.
Countries participating in the debate on Monday and Tuesday. Western as well as third world countries have described the Russian attack on Ukraine as a direct blow to international law and order.
However, many countries that have long been friends with Russia insist on resolving the crisis through diplomatic talks, rather than blaming any party for the aggression.
On the second day of the debate, Mohammad Monwar Hossain, Deputy Head of the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the United Nations, called on the UN Secretary-General to take diplomatic initiative and ensure the safety of those interested in moving out of the war-torn region.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen was in New York at the time but did not take part in the UN debate. Explaining Bangladesh’s position in an interview with a local Bangla TV, the foreign minister said, “We are against all forms of war. We want a peaceful solution to this problem at the initiative of the UN Secretary-General, “he said.” As a small country, all kinds of wars and international crises are against the national interest of Bangladesh.
It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post. When the foreign minister was asked about this, he avoided the matter.
