Bangladesh, Finland agree to foster cooperation in education sector

Bangladesh and Finland have agreed to foster cooperation in the education sector and the Nordic country will create more opportunities for Bangladeshi students and professionals for higher education, research and training.

The foreign ministry said during a bilateral consultation in Dhaka on Thursday, the two nations focused on training cooperation in the sector of forestry and environmental sciences, bio-technology and bio-economy, ICT, renewable energy by building greater rapport among the universities of the two countries.

Dhaka and Helsinki agreed to work on building partnership in implementing the SDGs, Agenda 2030 and mitigating the adverse effect of climate change.

They committed to forge cooperation in bilateral trade and investment to enhance bilateral trade up to its potential, and agreed to hold the first-ever Bangladesh-Finland business and investment forum in Dhaka later this year.

The Rohingya crisis was prominiently discussed.

The Finnish delegation appreciated Bangladesh for hosting a large numbers of Rohingyas and for upholding international and humanitarian laws.

Bangladesh called for increased pressure on Myanmar to compel it to take back its nationals in a sustainable manner and to hold Myanmar armed forces to account for ethnic cleansing in Rakhine State.

It said accountability of Myanmar military administration can create space for a democratic government there.

Two sides agreed to hold next round of political consultations in Helsinki in June 2019.

Foreign Secretary (Maritime Arrairs Unit) Khurshed Alam led the Bangladesh team while Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Security Policy of Finish Foreign Affairs Sipilaionen Anne Marjaana led her side.

Two sides stressed frequent visits and increased interactions at political level.

The Finnish undersecretary also met Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on Thursday.

Marjaana assured the minister that her country along with the European Union will continue to keep pressure on Myanmar for the sustainable return of Rohingya people to their homeland.

She praised the local host community for extending their support to the distressed Rohingya people.

Both sides agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and multilateral fora.

Undersecretary Marjaana offered to collaborate with Bangladesh in combating climate change as both countries are vulnerable to the climate change.

The foreign minister invited more Finnish investment.