Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2001-01-16-Speech-2-319"
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"en.20010116.13.2-319"2
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"Mr President, we very much welcome the cooperation agreement which is an affirmation of the good relations between the European Union and Bangladesh and provides a framework for their further expansion. Article 7 of the agreement deals with regional cooperation, and I would firstly like to touch on two points which relate to Bangladesh's regional situation and her relationship with neighbouring countries.
Although there is still some tension in border areas with India, there has been a great improvement in relations between the two countries. Evidence of this has been the signature of the water sharing Treaty with India. Following this there has been an interim agreement for sharing the waters of the Tista river and Indian assistance in preparing the project report on the proposed Ganges barrage which will be located on Bangladeshi territory. The two countries have also recently begun talks on fighting floods which have deluged both countries with tragic consequences. This cooperation is good news and to be encouraged and supported. I have to say I do not see the same positive approach on the part of the Burmese authorities. In fact, in the last few days, there have been troop deployments by the Burmese in support of Burmese attempts to construct a dam on the Naf river close to the Bangladesh border, sixty miles south east of Cox's Bazar. In the past, such actions have resulted in military action. A particularly regrettable aspect of this activity is that anti-personnel landmines have reportedly been laid along the border by the Burmese. Bangladesh is the only south Asian country to have signed the Ottawa Convention banning these weapons. Deplorably, Myanmar is not a signatory to the Convention and there are indications that she has planted mines inside Bangladeshi territory including on agricultural land.
Myanmar should accede to the mine ban Treaty immediately and Bangladesh should take steps to ratify the Treaty. I hope the Commission and Council will pursue these points in their dealings with both countries.
On a separate matter, the report describes the impact of population growth in Bangladesh on food security and economic development. The population of 127 million is likely to grow to over 200 million by 2030. This represents a huge push factor for emigration including to the European Union. Bangladesh must facilitate the re-admission of nationals who are illegally in the territory of an EU Member State. This is recognised in the declaration attached to the cooperation agreement. It is important that the Government of Bangladesh should take early steps to enter into negotiations with those Member States that so wish and to conclude mutually acceptable re-admission agreements.
I trust the Commission will also attach importance to this."@en1
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