Pakistan should seek apology first to up ties: Momen

Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen, Pakistan should "seek apology officially with a formal statement" for the crimes against innocent Bangalees in 1971.

"You have to start by publicly apologizing. In any case, I have a political defense. I might back you if that (the public apology) happens first. Otherwise, I'll find it very difficult. I am unable to complete that task. That's all there is to it," the minister on Sunday told the media what he said to Hina Rabbani Khar, the state minister for foreign affairs of Pakistan.

Speaking to the media at the State guesthouse Padma, Momen stated that while Pakistan wants to strengthen its relations with Bangladesh, Bangladesh has reminded Pakistan that the first step is to make an official apology.

Minister Momen and Hina Rabbani met on Saturday in Sri Lanka's capital city of Colombo.

Momen visited Sri Lanka as a guest for the nation's 75th Independence Day celebrations, which were attended mostly by the foreign ministers of the country's neighbours.

In response to a query, foreign minister Momen said that although the Pakistani state minister did not explicitly answer his remarks, he did accept that they had certain limitations.

The foreign minister said that any efforts to strengthen ties between Bangladesh and Pakistan must begin on the economic front.

He urged Pakistan's state minister to lift the restrictions in order to balance commercial relations.

Momen attended the "Independence Parade" in Colombo with other South Asian ministers. The parade included a joint army march-past, fly-by, and parachute display.

Foreign Minister Momen met with State Minister for Foreign Affairs of India, V Muraleedharan.

As they discussed upcoming bilateral visits and subjects of common interest, they emphasized trade and commerce for the benefit of the populations of the two countries.

All of the ministers from South Asian countries have praised the current government, which is led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, for assuring Bangladesh's continued economic prosperity.

Momen attended a banquet on Saturday night hosted by the president of Sri Lanka in honor of visiting leaders from Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bhutan as well as the secretary general of the Commonwealth and the state minister for foreign affairs of Japan.