Bangladesh, Russia agree to pursue 'shared goals' as foreign ministers meet in Moscow

Bangladesh and Russia have agreed to pursue "shared goals" during their foreign minister-level bilateral talks in Moscow.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali held official talks in a "most warm and friendly atmosphere" with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Thursday when they agreed to achieve the "shared goals" for the mutual benefit of the two countries, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

This was the first official visit by a Bangladesh foreign minister to Russia, at the invitation of a Russian foreign minister, since the then Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) recognised Bangladesh as an independent country in January 1972.

The visit also coincides with the observance of 45 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Lavrov termed Bangladesh a "reliable partner" and "highly appreciated the upward trajectory" of bilateral relations, particularly since the official visit of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Moscow in January 2013.

He recalled the fruitful meeting between Hasina and her Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on the sidelines of the ASEM Summit in Ulaanbaatar in July 2016.

He expressed his happiness at the increase in the volume of two-way trade, which crossed $1.5 billion in 2015-2016, and hoped that economic cooperation would be intensified in the future.

Ali recalled with "deep" gratitude the "tremendous" support that was extended by the people and government of Russia (then USSR) during Bangladesh's War of Liberation in 1971, the statement said.

He also recalled with a "deep" sense of appreciation the supreme sacrifices made by some of the Russian servicemen while clearing mines in the port of Chittagong, as part of the post-war reconstruction and rehabilitation effort in Bangladesh.

In recognition of the sacrifices of the Russians, Dhaka bestowed the “Bangladesh Liberation War Honour” and the “Friends of Bangladesh Honour” to them in 2012.

Ever since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to Moscow in 2013, Bangladesh and Russia have been "closely" working to establish mutually beneficial and comprehensive economic partnership in various sectors.

The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) now stands as a "signature" initiative in that respect. Both ministers expressed satisfaction at the progress made so far in the project.

Ali handed over to Lavrov a personal letter from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, for Prime Minister Medvedev, inviting her counterpart to visit Bangladesh.

In her letter, the Bangladesh premier expressed confidence that Prime Minister Medvedev’s visit would be a "milestone" in marking the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. She said the foundation to take the ties to the next level would be laid through the visit.

Both ministers expressed satisfaction at the signing and ratification of two agreements in the recent past, namely, the Agreement on the Establishment of Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic and Scientific and Technical Cooperation, and the Agreement on Visa-free Travel for Holders of Diplomatic and Official Passports.

They opined that these instruments would enhance people-to-people contact.

In the above context, Mahmood Ali emphasised "early" operationalisation of the recently established Intergovernmental Commission on trade, economic and scientific and technical cooperation and expressed Bangladesh’s eagerness to host the first meeting in Dhaka in 2017.

Ali sought support from Lavrov for duty-free quota-free access of Bangladesh’s products to the Russian market and also in the member states of the Russia-led Eurasian Economic Union.

He also invited Russian investors and companies to enter into joint ventures or 100 percent owned business ventures in the 100 special economic zones, which are currently being set up in Bangladesh.

Minister Lavrov indicated that Russian companies might be interested in engaging in ICT projects in Bangladesh and in that context, he suggested appropriate proposals or invitations from the Bangladesh side. 

Both ministers expressed satisfaction at the ongoing collaboration between Gazprom International and Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration Company (BAPEX) in the energy sector since 2012, particularly in exploring new wells for gas.

Lavrov said that the level of cooperation in the energy field could be intensified more.

The two sides expressed satisfaction at the ongoing defence cooperation between the two countries, including defence procurement under the $1 billion State Export Credit from the Russian Federation.

Ali sought his counterpart’s support for enhanced training for Bangladesh armed forces personnel at Russian defence institutions.

The Russian foreign minister agreed to take up the matter with his colleague at the Defence Ministry.

Lavrov thanked Bangladesh for its support at the UN and allied bodies.

He appreciated Bangladesh’s "balanced" approach and understanding on many global issues of mutual interests. Both ministers agreed to intensifying cooperation between the two countries in UN and other international fora.

They discussed regional issues of mutual interest, including the situation concerning the influx of Rohingya Muslims from Myanmar.

The Bangladesh foreign minister sought the support of his Russian counterpart for finding a permanent solution of the protracted issue.

At the end of the bilateral official talks, both ministers took part at a joint press conference.

Ali invited Lavrov to visit Bangladesh at an early date and Lavrov warmly accepted the invitation.

Later in the afternoon, Ali visited the Russian Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications and held a meeting with the minister in charge, Nicoli A Nikiforov.

He then witnessed the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding namely MoU between the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications of the Russian Federation and Ministry of Information of Bangladesh on cooperation in the field of mass communications, and MoU on cooperation between the ITAR TASS News Agency (of the Russian Federation) and Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

Ali expressed happiness at the signing of the MoUs and requested both the Russian ministers to consider reviving the Bengali Service of Radio Moscow, the foreign ministry said.