PRESSE REVIEW Official visit of German Federal President in 28 – 30 November 2011

Bangladesh News 24, Bangladesch

Thursday, 29 November 2011 Berlin, friends: Wulff

Dhaka, Nov 29 (bdnews24.com) – Germany is a trusted friend of Bangladesh and there is ample scope of cooperation between the two countries, German president Christian Wulff has said.

Speaking at a dinner party hosted by president Zillur Rahman in his honour at Bangabhaban on Tuesday, the German president underlined Bangladesh's valuable contribution to the force.

"Bangladesh has been one of the biggest contributors to the peacekeeping force to make the world a better place."

Prime minister , speaker , deputy speaker Shawkat Ali Khan, ministers and high officials attended the dinner.

Wulff said bilateral trade between the two countries is on the rise.

On climate change, he said Bangladesh should bring its case before the world more forcefully. http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=212479&cid=2 [02.12.2011]

Bangladesh News 24, Bangladesch

Thursday, 29 November 2011 'Bangladesh a role model'

Bangladesh can be a role model for democracy in the Arab world, feels German president.

"You should not mix religion with power. Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and other countries are now facing the problem," Christian Wulff said at a programme at the Dhaka University.

The voter turnout during polls in Bangladesh is also very 'impressive', according to him.

The president came to Dhaka on a three-day trip on Monday.

SECULAR BANGLADESH

He said Bangladesh is a secular state, as minority communities are not pushed to the brink or out of the society here.

"Majority of Bangladesh population is Muslim but believers of other religions are also comfortable here," the German president said.

The culture of Bangladesh is open to others and it has influence from Arab world to Europe, he added. 1

CLIMATE CHANGE

Thirty million people would be displaced if sea level rises and it would have devastating impact on the country, Wulff said.

"Developing and developed world should work together to fight against climate change," he said.

DEVELOPMENT

The president felt that if Bangladesh can resolve energy problem, there are greater chances of development.

He also emphasised on enhanced regional trade to improve the condition of the economy.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Wulff said most of girls are enrolled in schools, but they do not continue with their education to join the workforce.

"The resources should be properly used," he said.

He, however, said 97 percent borrowers of BRAC are women and majority of workers in the textiles sector are female. http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=212477&cid=2 [02.12.2011]

Bangladesh News 24, Bangladesch

Thursday, 29 November 2011 Khaleda-Hasina 'conflict baffles German president' Sheikh Shahariar Zaman

Dhaka, Nov 29 (bdnews24.com)—The German president is baffled by conflicting attitudes of the top two leaders of the two major political parties, the Transparency International's Bangladesh chapter head says.

"Christian Wulff said Bangladesh is a land of great potential and it can be a role model for many countries and that he can understand. But he doesn't understand the conflict between the top leadership of the two major parties," executive director Iftekhar Zaman told the bdnews24.com after a meeting with the German president on Tuesday.

Wulff came to Dhaka on a three-day visit on Monday and he met a select group of civil society leaders at the Goethe-Institut Tuesday morning.

"He also inquired about the impact of this conflict on the young generation as they are the torch bearers of society," Iftekhar said.

"We replied that there is some impact but young generation has a forward-looking attitude and that's why they brought to power," he said adding, "If this conflict continues, they will make the hero to zero."

Sheikh Hasina, the current prime minister and head of Awami League, and , former prime minister and head of BNP, are the top two political figures in the country but they seldom interact on any issue and have negative attitude towards each other.

2 POSITIVE ATTITUDE

The German president has a 'very positive attitude' about Bangladesh and after his visit it would be more strengthened, according to Iftekhar.

"The president has very positive attitude and found Bangladesh an exceptional country."

"Progress in Bangladesh can be a role model for many countries in the world," he further quoted Wulff as saying .

Former caretaker government adviser Sultana Kamal, who was also present in the meeting, said the president lauded the country as 'progressive."

"He said he would go back to Germany with very positive attitude," Kamal said.

CORRUPTION AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

In the meeting, corruption and good governance issues were also discussed.

The German president inquired about , Ifthekar said.

"We told them corruption can be seen everywhere in the world and many steps have been taken to uproot it," he said.

In the meeting, women empowerment, human rights and poverty alleviation issues were also discussed.

Chairman of BRAC Fazle Hasan Abed, Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam, professor Meghna Guha Thakurata and professor Mohammad Ibrahim were the others who attended the meeting. http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=212432&cid=2 [02.12.2012]

The Daily Star, Bangladesch

Wednesday, 30 November 2011 Germany wants stronger relations with Bangladesh President Wulff says during meetings with Zillur, Hasina, Khaleda

Visiting German President Christian Wulff said yesterday his country would explore new areas of cooperation with Bangladesh in trade, investment and power.

“We want to proceed bilaterally to explore new avenues of cooperation in areas of trade, investment, power and development along with existing multilateral linkages,” Wulff said during a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to the PM's press secretary Abul Kalam Azad.

The German president arrived on Monday on a three-day state visit to Bangladesh. His meeting with Hasina took place at Ruposhi Bangla hotel.

Wulff also met President Zillur Rahman, Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia and representatives of civil society besides delivering a lecture at Dhaka University on the day. He also attended a banquet hosted in his honour by his Bangladesh counterpart. Wulff told Hasina that Germany was keen to strengthen its bilateral relations with Bangladesh. He also acclaimed Bangladesh as a 'stabilizing force' in South Asia and praised the development activities that have been taken up by the government, the press secretary said.

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President Wulff is leading an 84-member delegation, including a strong business team. He said the large business delegation accompanying him was a strong sign of Germany's intention to boost economic relations with Bangladesh.

In response, Sheikh Hasina said: “Bangladesh always gives high importance to its relations with Germany, which is its second largest destination of export and one of the main development partners.”

She told the President about her government's firm commitment to strengthening democratic values, practices and institutions. Besides, the government was determined to wipe out terrorism, a task in which it had been working jointly with the international community.

Hasina sought German support in the energy sector and global climate change negotiations. She also requested German collaboration with Bangladeshi universities and research institutions, especially in medicine, bio-technology, generic engineering, applied disciplines and ICT areas.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia while meeting the German president urged more German investment in Bangladesh in order for the country's industrial sector to flourish. In his speech at Dhaka University, the German President said it was not possible to have a sustainable democracy without a strong opposition.

He said there were a number of symbols of growing democratization in Bangladesh, which could turn the country into a role model of democratization for other countries. The German President also met some civil society members at Goethe Institute. During the meeting, Wulff inquired about the political situation in Bangladesh, the conflicts between the two main parties and its impact on the young generation, according to Transparency International Bangladesh executive director Iftekharuzzaman, who attended it.

Iftekhar said the move to amend the Anti-Corruption Commission law, corruption, human rights, press freedom, government-NGO relations were discussed at the meeting. BRAC founder and Chairperson Fazle Hasan Abed apprised the German President of the role of NGOs in the development endeavours in the country and relations between the government and NGOs.

A former adviser of a caretaker government, Sultana Kamal, told the meeting the level of awareness regarding human rights has increased among the people in general but due to the culture of impunity here many were afraid to raise their voices against transgressions of the law.

The Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam said the press in Bangladesh was enjoying freedom, but nevertheless there was also concern.

Meanwhile, German entrepreneurs, who met with Bangladesh business leaders and Commerce Minister separately, look for more long-term business in joint ventures in Bangladesh through ensuring a win-win situation for both sides.

“We've been here for a long-term trade relationship. We want to deepen our relationship,” said German business delegation leader Dr Karl Ernst Brauner at a luncheon meeting with FBCCI at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel.

Brauner, also Director of the Department of Foreign Trade Policy, Germany, said, “This visit is not an end point; it is rather the beginning of a long process of further cooperation…the visit is not a coincidence.”

4 During meeting with Commerce Minister Faruk Khan, the German trade delegation expressed interest in investing in solar energy, shipbuilding and infrastructure in Bangladesh.

The German President will leave Dhaka today at the end of his visit to Bangladesh. http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=212280 [02.12.2011]

The Daily Star, Bangladesch

Wednesday, 30 November 2011 Germany to raise concern of Bangladesh at WTO meet

Germany will raise the concern of Bangladesh about a proposed EU duty waiver to Pakistan at the next World Trade Organisation meeting in Brussels, said the leader of a delegation with visiting German President Christian Wulff.

Karl-Ernst Brauner, director of the Department of Foreign Trade Policy of Germany's Ministry of Economics and Technology, said he will discuss the issue as Bangladesh has already cleared its position regarding the proposed duty waiver at a recent WTO meeting. “I will raise the issue at the meeting. But, I have not made up my mind yet in this regard,” Brauner said after a meeting with Commerce Minister Faruk Khan at his secretariat. Brauner led the delegation at the meeting.

Pakistan sought the EU duty-waiver for its 75 products, mainly textile and readymade garment items, as the country faced devastating floods last year.

But Bangladesh urged the WTO to impose a cap on export of eight Pakistani garment items as both the countries are strong in the eight items.

Brauner said German businessmen are interested to invest in the garment and textile and shipbuilding sectors of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh's exports to Germany will continue to rise in future as the demand for clothing items is robust in Germany, he said.

After the meeting, Saiful Islam, German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said Germany's Multiline Textil GmbH will soon invest around 100 million euros in Bangladesh. http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=212267 [02.12.2011]

Financial Express, Bangladesch

Wednesday, 30 November 2011 Bangladesh 'stabilising force' in S Asia: Wulff

German President Christian Wulff Tuesday termed Bangladesh a 'stabilising force' in South Asia and said his country is keen to give new thrust to the bilateral relations between the two countries, reports BSS.

"We want to proceed bilaterally with Dhaka in the coming days and explore new avenues of cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, power and development cooperation side by side with existing multilateral linkages," he said during a call on Prime Minister (PM) Sheikh Hasina at a local hotel in the city.

"A large business delegation accompanying me is a testimony of our intension to proceed 5 bilaterally with Bangladesh," said the German President who is now on a three-day official visit to Bangladesh. He urged for introducing 'one stop service' for businesses and more facilities for investors.

The PM thanked the German President for visiting Bangladesh and said the visit would strengthen the existing cordial relations between the two countries in all respects.

She recalled her visit to Germany last month and thanked German government for its continued support in providing duty free and quota-free access for Bangladeshi goods in EU market.

Sheikh Hasina said as the second largest destination of export and one of the main development partners, Bangladesh always gives high importance to its relations with Germany.

The PM also appreciated the German support in restoring and sustaining democracy in Bangladesh and expressed her government's firm commitment to strengthen democratic values, practice and institutions.

The PM drew attention of Christian Wulff to the development efforts of her government and highlighted some successes acclaimed by the world community over the years.

Terming the power sector as a vibrant sector, she said the present government has doubled the power generation in last three years. The sector has immense potentiality of foreign investment, she said. http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=157706&date=2011-11-30 [02.12.2011]

Deutsche Welle

Wednesday, 30 November 2011 Wulff lobt Bangladesch als Vorbild Bettina Stehkämper

Bundespräsident Christian Wulff befindet sich zurzeit auf einer fünftägigen Asienreise. Erste Station: Bangladesch. DW-Korrespondentin Bettina Stehkämper begleitet ihn.

"Where are you from?" - Wir sind überrascht, wie viele der Straßenhändler in Dhaka ein bisschen Englisch können. Und ebenso überrascht, dass wir nach unserer Antwort - "From Germany" - bereits behandelt werden wie langjährige Freunde. Deutschland hat Bangladesch nach seiner Unabhängigkeit als eines der ersten Länder anerkannt. Seit Jahrzehnten gibt es zahlreiche kulturelle Kontakte - und zunehmend auch wirtschaftliche. Bangladesch ist ein Land auf dem Sprung. Aber 25 Jahre haben die Menschen darauf gewartet, dass wieder einmal ein deutsches Staatsoberhaupt in ihr kleines Land kommt und sich an ihre Seite stellt. Denn die Herausforderungen, vor denen das südasiatische Land steht, sind enorm.

Es war der Termin, auf den er sich am meisten gefreut hatte: Bundespräsident Christian Wulff besuchte am Dienstag (29.11.2011) in Bangladesch auch die Dhaka-Universität, die älteste Universität des Landes. Die Gespräche mit den Studenten, ob hier, in Japan, Katar oder Moskau, sind für das Protokoll des Bundespräsidialamtes ein Muss. Denn auf die Diskussion mit der Jugend legt Wulff größten Wert.

"Räumlich weit entfernt, aber nicht mental"

6 Etwa hundert Studenten warteten im Hörsaal auf Wulff. Und der lobt die Weisheit Bangladeschs, sich für eine säkulare Demokratie entschieden zu haben. "Räumlich weit entfernt, aber nicht mental", so sei das Verhältnis zwischen Deutschland und Bangladesch, sagte der Bundespräsident vor den Studenten. Wie geht man entspannt mit verschiedenen Religionen um. Wie schafft man Empathie für Toleranz und Demokratie? Dass dies auch Deutschland nicht immer gelingt, sprach Wulff nicht nur an der Dhaka- Universität an. So erklärte er den Studenten und anderen Gesprächspartnern, mit welcher Erschütterung er die Ermordung von Mitbürgern durch rechtsextreme Gewalttäter erlebt habe. "Der Staat hat eine Schutzverantwortung für alle seine Bürger. Zur Anerkennung von Minderheiten gehört aber auch, dass sie gegen Gewalt umfassend geschützt und dass Übergriffe verfolgt werden", so Wulff.

Bangladesch als Vorbild für arabische Länder?

Bangladesch könne Staaten wie Ägypten und Tunesien als Vorbild dienen, sagte der Bundespräsident gegenüber DW-WORLD.DE. Beispielhaft wären die gegenseitige Toleranz der Weltreligionen und ihr Miteinander in Bangladesch. Essig in den Wein goss dann ausgerechnet der ihn begleitende Professor Rauf Ceylan vom Zentrum für Interkulturelle Islamstudien an der Universität Osnabrück. Er war einer der beiden Sondergäste des Bundespräsidenten. Zwei Islamwissenschaftler sollten als Experten auf dieser Reise beraten und eigene Erkenntnisse ziehen. Rauf Ceylan kam zu dem Ergebnis, dass es nicht ausreiche, wenn nur eine Religion - in diesem Fall die muslimische - den anderen Religionen die freie Glaubensausübung gestatte, sondern der Staat müsse dies für alle garantieren.

Religionsfreiheit sei keine Nettigkeit. Und die Einhaltung der Menschenrechte auch nicht. In seinem Gespräch mit Bangladeschs Ministerpräsidentin Scheikh Hasina Wajed, wies Wulff auch auf Verletzungen der Menschenrechte hin und übergab ihr von dokumentierte Fälle. Scheikh Hasina Wajed versprach, diese zu prüfen. Kein anderes Land hat so viele Nichtregierungsorganisationen wie Bangladesch. Und die schauen genau auf dieses arme Land und seine junge Demokratie. Der Bundespräsident selbst schaute am Montagabend DW-TV. Angetan erzählte er in der Millionenmetropole Dhaka von einem Bericht über sein Lieblingsrestaurant "La vie" in Osnabrück, den er dort gesehen hätte. Ausgerechnet hier in Dhaka, amüsiert er sich, sieht er einen Bericht über seine Heimatstadt Osnabrück. Wie war das noch? Räumlich weit entfernt, aber nicht mental. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15565726,00.html [02.12.2011]

Hamburger Abendblatt

Monday, 28. November 2011 Bundespräsident Wulff betont in Bangladesch den notwendigen Dialog Der Bundespräsident ist auf seiner Asien-Reise in einem der 50 ärmsten Länder der Erde angekommen. Am Mittwoch geht es nach Indonesien.

Berlin. Bundespräsident Christian Wulff hat zum Auftakt seines Staatsbesuchs in Bangladesch die Bedrohung durch den Klimawandel und die Notwendigkeit des Dialogs zwischen den Religionen hervorgehoben. In der Hauptstadt Dhaka wurde Wulff am Montag von Staatspräsident Zillur Rahman mit militärischen Ehren begrüßt. Am ersten Tag seines Besuches in der islamischen Volksrepublik stand auch ein Treffen mit den verschiedenen Religionsgemeinschaften auf dem Programm. Bangladesch gehört zu den 50 ärmsten Ländern der Welt. Eine Wirtschaftsdelegation begleitet den Bundespräsidenten, der am Mittwoch nach Indonesien weiterfliegt. Deutsche Investoren achteten zu Recht auf ein sicheres Investitionsklima, sagte Wulff in einem Interview für Medien in Bangladesch. Erfolg auf

7 den globalen Märkten sei aber nur von Dauer, wenn Umwelt- und Sozialstandards eingehalten würden. Auch das Zusammenwirken von demokratischen Institutionen und islamischer Gesellschaft ist für Wulff von Interesse – gerade mit Blick auf die Reformbewegung in den arabischen Staaten.

In dem Interview würdigte Wulff die Rückkehr des Landes zur Demokratie im Jahr 2008. Besonders wichtig sei nun, den großen Erwartungen der überwiegend jungen Bevölkerung gerecht zu werden. Ein Drittel der über 160 Millionen Menschen in Bangladesch ist unter 14 Jahre alt. Wulff mahnte eine effektive Bekämpfung der Korruption an. Eine engere Zusammenarbeit beim Klimaschutz sei anzustreben. Bangladesch ist durch den Anstieg des Meeresspiegels besonders bedroht und erlebt schon jetzt häufig katastrophale Überschwemmungen.

Wulff erwähnte in dem Interview auch die gegenwärtigen Turbulenzen in der Europäischen Union. „Die derzeitige Krise in Europa ist zugleich eine Bankenkrise und eine Schuldenkrise. Hinsichtlich des Finanzsektors denke ich, dass die ursprüngliche Liberalisierung und Deregulierung zu weit gegangen ist.“ Die Arbeiten im Rahmen der G20 für einen globalen Ordnungsrahmen für die Finanzmärkte müssten weiter vorangetrieben werden. Eine Abkehr von der Schuldenpolitik der Vergangenheit sei ebenso notwendig wie eine Kehrtwende zu nachhaltigem Wirtschaften und Haushalten. (dpa) http://www.abendblatt.de/politik/deutschland/article2108258/Wulff-betont-in- Bangladesch-den-notwendigen-Dialog.html [02.12.2011]

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