Foreign Secretary Ambassador Masud Bin Momen affirmed on Saturday that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was diligently striving to maintain balanced relations with all nations, prioritizing the interests of Bangladesh and its people.

Speaking at the 26th founding anniversary celebration and iftar of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at Dhaka Club, he emphasized the goal of positioning the country as a progressive entity on the global stage, adhering to the foreign policy principle of "friendship to all, malice towards none."

Chairman of the Parliament Standing Committee for Foreign Affairs and former foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, former state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam, DCAB Nurul Islam Hasib, and General Secretary Ashiqur Rahman Apu also addressed the gathering.

The event was attended by diplomats from various countries, editors, journalist leaders, senior officials of the foreign ministry, and representatives from different government agencies.

Ambassador Momen extended his congratulations to all DCAB members on their 26th Founding Anniversary and expressed his delight in being part of the celebration. He underscored the significance of public diplomacy and the role of DCAB in fostering public engagement with foreign policy issues.

Recognizing the crucial role of the media, he highlighted the interconnectedness between the media and Bangladesh's foreign policy, stressing the importance of constructive analysis in shaping public opinion and aiding policymakers in decision-making.

Ambassador Momen urged DCAB members to fulfill their responsibilities diligently, fostering public understanding of diplomacy and foreign policy, disseminating accurate information, and contributing to building a positive image of the government and the Foreign Ministry.

He emphasized the responsibility of journalists to uphold professionalism, verify the accuracy of their reports, and combat yellow journalism and misinformation.

The foreign secretary commended DCAB's support during critical times such as the Rohingya crisis and Covid management. He lauded the association's efforts in organizing talks, seminars, training sessions, and other events, which have contributed to its vibrancy.

Ambassador Momen expressed hope that DCAB would strengthen its collaboration with similar associations in Asia and beyond, leveraging digital tools to expand its outreach. He envisioned DCAB's continued engagement in nurturing foreign policy issues, ultimately contributing to the realization of Bangladesh's vision of a "smart Bangladesh."