Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Ms Julia Niblett, welcomed the visit to Bangladesh by Australia’s Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism, Mr Paul Foley PSM, from 19 to 21 March.
The visit underlines the importance Australia places on its security engagement with Bangladesh, including to tackle, together, the global scourge of terrorism and violent extremism. Ambassador Foley’s visit is a timely opportunity to explore with senior Bangladesh Government law enforcement and public security officials effective ways of preventing and countering violent extremism, regardless of its origins.
In echoing the High Commissioner’s earlier public statement, Mr Foley extended his heartfelt condolences to the Bangladeshi victims of the shocking terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, and their families. Mr Foley highlighted the statements of the Australian Prime Minister, the Hon Scott Morrison MP, condemning this atrocity in the strongest possible terms. As the Prime Minister said, Australia shares the grief of Muslim communities the world over, and will not tolerate the rightwing extremist ideology that fueled this terrorist attack.
During his visit, Mr Foley emphasized that terrorism and violent extremism are challenges shared by all countries. As a longstanding development and security partner, Australia will continue to support Bangladesh and its people to address these threats.
Mr Foley will accompany the High Commissioner, the Executive Director of the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), Dr Khalid Koser MBE, and the Chair of the GCERF Governing Board, Ms Carol Bellamy, to visit GCERF-supported activities and engage with participants, including women and youth.
As Ambassador for Counter-Terrorism, Mr Foley leads Australia’s international engagement on counter-terrorism and counter violent extremism.