United News of Bangladesh

World leaders on Saturday intensified calls for a stronger and more self-reliant Europe as the second day of the Munich Security Conference got underway, against the backdrop of deepening geopolitical tensions and the ongoing war in Ukraine. Addressing the conference, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union must fully activate its mutual defence commitments under its founding treaty, stressing that collective defence was not optional but a binding obligation. She said Europe had a duty to stand together in the face of aggression, calling it a defining principle of the bloc. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that Russia’s aggression extended far beyond Ukraine, threatening Europe’s security, social cohesion and economic stability through disinformation, cyberattacks and sabotage. He said Moscow was continuing to rearm even as the war dragged on, underscoring the need for Europe to strengthen its military capabilities. Starmer said Europe must build credible hard power to deter aggression and, if necessary, be ready to fight to protect its people, values and way of life. He argued that the path ahead was clear and required greater investment, coordination and resolve in defence. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking earlier, urged European allies to adapt to what he described as a new direction in the transatlantic relationship under the administration of US President Donald Trump. While expressing strong cultural and historical ties with Europe, Rubio said the United States wanted allies capable of defending themselves and called for a renewal of the partnership to meet current global realities. Rubio was critical of the effectiveness of global institutions, saying the United Nations had played virtually no role in resolving major conflicts, including the war in Gaza. He said reforms were needed to ensure international bodies could respond more effectively to modern crises. Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel said Europe had been slow to recognise that the post-Cold War world order was already under strain, noting that the inability of the UN Security Council to resolve conflicts had exposed the system’s weaknesses. He said recent US statements had jolted Europe into confronting a harsher global reality and the need to take greater responsibility for its own defence. On the opening day of the conference, French President Emmanuel Macron called for a strong and capable Europe, while German Chancellor Friedrich Merz acknowledged growing strains between Europe and the United States but said the alliance must adapt rather than fracture. The 62nd edition of the conference, being held at the Bayerischer Hof in Munich, has brought together more than 60 heads of state and government, dozens of international organisation leaders and delegates from over 115 countries, with security in Europe, Ukraine and the future of the transatlantic alliance dominating discussions.   With inputs from ALJAZEERA

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left here for Germany on Thursday (February 15, 2024) morning on a three-day official visit to attend the Munich Security Conference. This is her first official tour abroad since being re-elected as the prime minister for the fourth consecutive term in last month's parliamentary polls. The Munich Security Conference is considered the world's leading forum for debating security issues. Read: Govt measures to tame inflation soon: PM tells Parliament  A flight of the Biman Bangladesh Airlines departed Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11 am carrying the prime minister and her entourage members. During her stay in Munich from February 16-18, Sheikh Hasina will also hold meetings with German chancellor, Ukraine's president, prime ministers of Denmark and the Netherlands on the sidelines of the security conference. Indian external affairs minister will also call on the Bangladesh prime minister.  Read more: Focus on rural dev along with infrastructure: PM Hasina tells ECNEC

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has decided to attend this year’s Munich Security Conference, the most high-profile annual dialogue on security issues, to be held in Germany next month. Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud confirmed PM Hasina’s participation in the global conference while talking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday. He said his ministry is working on the bilateral meetings to be held on the sidelines of the conference.  Read: UNDP administrator congratulates PM Hasina  The Prime Minister last attended the Security Conference in 2019. Though the Prime Minister has received invitations from various countries and international organisations, her first official visit post-election may begin with Germany, a diplomatic source told UNB. Apart from bilateral engagement with the German leaders, she will have meetings with global leaders on the sidelines. The Munich Security Conference (MSC) 2024 will take place from February 16 to 18, 2024, at the Hotel Bayerischer Hof in Munich. The MSC 2024 will once again offer a unique opportunity for high-level debates on the world’s most pressing security challenges, said the organisers. Additionally, the MSC, founded in the fall of 1963, will celebrate its 60th anniversary up to and during the next main conference. Read: Dhaka, London ties evolving from development-focused to modern partnership: Cameron  The Munich Security Report is published annually before the Security Conference. The report contains exclusive data and graphics on current security policy issues, compiled in cooperation with renowned partner institutions of the MSC. The Munich Security Report serves as a basis for discussion at the conference in Munich. 

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has reiterated the need for global partnership to mobilize financing and technologies towards climate action and green transition. He was speaking at a panel discussion on tackling climate crisis during the "58th Munich Security Conference" that began in Germany on Friday.  The conference being held at the usual venue in Munich will continue till February 20. Speaking at the opening session of the conference Dr Momen wondered if the international commitment for climate financing could be affected due to geopolitical tensions, including Ukraine situation. The Foreign Minister is scheduled to visit Paris, France from Germany.  Read:Shimla dialogue: Dhaka reiterates firm commitment to ensuring regional peace The MSC 2022 remains true to its traditional formats but welcomed fewer guests and media representatives as well as smaller delegations to ensure the health and safety of its participants and the Munich public, according to the organizers. "Our world is in danger. Traditional certainties are crumbling, threats and vulnerabilities are multiplying, and the rules-based order is increasingly under attack.  The need for dialogue has never been greater,” said Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of Munich Security Conference. Dr Momen is scheduled to leave Munich for Paris on February 21 and attend "Ministerial Forum” for the cooperation in the Indo Pacific to be held there on February 22. The French government has invited a host of foreign ministers from across Asia, the Pacific and East Africa to its capital on February 22 for the meeting with their European counterparts and top European Union officials.   Read:Shimla dialogue: Dhaka reiterates firm commitment to ensuring regional peace Together with the High Representative, the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union will hold the Ministerial Forum, bringing together the Member States, the European Commission and Indo-Pacific partner countries. The forum will address specific challenges related to security and defence, and digital and connectivity issues in the context of the Global Gateway initiative to develop infrastructure worldwide, as well as global challenges such as global health, climate change, biodiversity and the protection of oceans.  

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen leaves for Germany on Thursday morning from where he is scheduled to visit Paris, France to attend a number of events, including bilateral engagements. He will attend the "58th Munich Security Conference" in Germany to be held at the usual venue in Munich, the Hotel Bayerischer Hof, from February 18 to 20, officials here said. The MSC 2022 will remain true to its traditional formats but will welcome fewer guests and media representatives as well as smaller delegations to ensure the health and safety of its participants and the Munich public, according to the organisers. "Our world is in danger. Traditional certainties are crumbling, threats and vulnerabilities are multiplying, and the rules-based order is increasingly under attack. The need for dialogue has never been greater,” said Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of Munich Security Conference. Also read: Bangladesh an important security partner, says US Dr Momen is scheduled to leave Munich for Paris on February 21 and attend "Ministerial Forum” for the cooperation in the Indo Pacific to be held there on February 22. The French government has invited a host of foreign ministers from across Asia, the Pacific and East Africa to its capital on February 22 for the meeting with their European counterparts and top European Union officials. Together with the High Representative, the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union will hold the Ministerial Forum, bringing together the Member States, the European Commission and Indo-Pacific partner countries. The forum will address specific challenges related to security and defence, and digital and connectivity issues in the context of the Global Gateway initiative to develop infrastructure worldwide, as well as global challenges such as global health, climate change, biodiversity and the protection of oceans. Also read: Appointed PR firm, not lobbyist, to change wrong perception: FM