Austrian FM Karin Kneissl pays tribute to language martyrs

Dhaka, Feb 20 – Austria wants to boots its bilateral cooperation with Bangladesh in various sectors especially in trade and investment, technology transfer and start a direct international flight between Dhaka and Vienna.
Visiting Austrian foreign minister Karin Kneissl on Wednesday came up with the statements after holding a bilateral talk with Bangladesh foreign minister AK Abdul Momen at the state guest house Meghna in the
capital.
She also said her government will remain beside Bangladesh in resolving the Rohingya crisis because they also understand the burden of refugees on society and state of the host country what they are
also experiencing now.
“We are delighted to work together. We have a long relation with Bangladesh. The Austrian companies are interested in establishing their roots and finding their prospective in all strata,” Karin Kneissl said.
Appreciating Bangladesh’s achievement in the last one decade, she said, “The per capita income has increased three times and Bangladesh has moved on from least developed country to developing country.”
“The citizens from Bangladesh are working around the globe particularly Middle East and Europe. Apart from the textile industry, Bangladesh prime minister has laid out development plan to move more and more into digitalisation,” she said.
“But digitalisation needs a lot of wisdom because otherwise there is always a risk of losing employment places. Digitalisation is the gateway to economic development but it has to be done with lots of wisdom,” she continued.
Honouring the tremendous efforts taken by Bangladesh in order to take care the Rohingyas, she said, “I like to pay tribute to the tremendous efforts that both the government and Bangladesh people have done in providing humanitarian aid to the Rohingyas ethnic group from Myanmar.
We would like to contribute half a million euros as humanitarian aid to the Rohingya community.”
Asked about a query of resolving the crisis, she said, “Austria by itself is not in a position to exercise the leverage. It can only be a common effort. We have to work together to address the crisis.”
“We have also welcomed the highest number of refugees in Austria. We know the burden that it has on the society on the state authority,” she continued.
About the recruitment of Bangladeshi citizens to Austria, she said, “Bangladeshi citizens are working in Austria. It is up to the matter to a company. Austrian government does not recruit manpower.”
About the bilateral talks, Abdul Momen said, “We are delighted that the Austrian foreign minister along with a big team has come here to talk on various bilateral issues so that the road map prepared by our
the prime minister can be achieved.”
“We need various investments and the expansion of trades. Austria is our very friendly country that 4 February 1972 recognised us immediately after our liberation. They have come here to help us out as a partner. The prime minister Sheikh Hasina has outlines certain road maps and we need a lot of investments, technology transfer, and better trade to reach the goals,” he added.
“We discussed bilateral issues. These are win-win for both of us. We have talked about a number of issues including a direct flight from Dhaka to Vienna, Austria,” he added.
“We also like to get their expertise in education, e-learning, power generation, renewable energy and skill development. They have agreed to assist us,” he continued.
Abdul Momen said he has invited his counterpart to join the Ekushey Prothom Prohor at midnight and she has agreed to join. – Staff Reporter