Sweden, Denmark, Norway embassies combine in Dhaka

Sweden, Denmark, and Norway are combining their missions in Bangladesh, calling it the ‘Nordic Embassy’ in Dhaka from Wednesday.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 30 June 2015, 06:06 AM
Updated : 30 June 2015, 07:32 AM
In a joint statement, the three embassies on Tuesday said such joint Nordic embassy was being established in many countries “to strengthen our cooperation in the foreign policy area”.

The new Nordic Embassy will be “one common representation and one common expression -- together we are stronger”.

But the three countries will retain their ambassadors who will now operate from the same compound.

The Nordic Embassy will be based at Bay's Edgewater, 6th floor, Plot No NE (N) 12, North Avenue, Gulshan-2.

The three will also “share resources and work together”.

The Danish and the Norwegian embassies are already operating from the new premises.

The Swedish embassy will be closed for visitors from July 1 to July 12 for shifting to the new address the next day.

“The new Nordic Embassy will be a strong platform for further expansion of the long-standing partnerships between the Nordic countries and Bangladesh,” read the joint statement. 

Danish ambassador Hanne Fugl Eskjær said the new Nordic Embassy would “strengthen our joint efforts to promote and share these solutions with Bangladesh”.

“The three Nordic countries are known worldwide as frontrunners when it comes to green technologies, innovation, and a sustainable approach to business and society as such,” she said.

Ambassador of Norway Merete Lundemo said the “Nordic countries have a longstanding tradition for cooperation and for building a strong common brand.

“I am very pleased that Bangladesh is one of the countries where we have successfully established a common structure for our representation, and look forward to making full use of it together with my colleagues”.

Swedish ambassador Johan Frisell said Denmark, Norway and Sweden “share culture, language, traditions".

“Our countries share similar democratic values, social welfare systems, gender equality policy, and export-oriented and trade focused economies.

“Moving in together will be a great opportunity for us to work together as a Nordic Embassy,” he said.