Advisory: With Photo
Dhaka, Jan 21 (BDNEWS) - Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Sergey Victorovich has said his country valued the close political dialogue and cooperation with Bangladesh on bilateral and many major international issues.
"...the existing excellent cooperation can be strengthened by increased contacts at different levels," he told Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin as he called on him in Moscow Friday.
The Russian Foreign Minister emphasised on the need to expand bilateral trade and economic cooperation with Bangladesh.
Hemayetuddin is now in Moscow for the annual bilateral consultations between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries.
Lavrov deeply appreciated Bangladesh's support for Russia's observer status in the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC). He appreciated Dhaka's role in the Asia pacific region and the economic development that has taken place in the country.
Mentioning about the excellent bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Russia, he expressed the hope that the friendly ties will be further strengthened.
Lavrov hoped that Bangladesh Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan would soon visit Russia and suggested that dates for the visit can be fixed through diplomatic channels.
He felt that the meeting of the Foreign Ministers would pave the way for higher-level meetings of the leaders of the two nations.
Hemayetuddin handed over a letter addressed to President Vladimir Putin from Prime Minister Khaleda Zia inviting him to visit Bangladesh and conveying her desire to further strengthen and deepen the existing Bangladesh-Russia relations.
He said the existing close friendly relations between Bangladesh and
Russian Federation was based on strong foundations and historical links.
Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin recalled the crucial support from Russia during Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971.
The Foreign Secretary said Bangladesh would welcome Russia's support, assistance and cooperation in the energy sector, power generation and other areas.
In this connection the Russian Foreign Minister supported the idea that a private sector delegation headed by the Executive Chairman of the Board of Investment visit Russia to have discussion on investment and possibilities of cooperation in energy sector.
The Russian Foreign Minister also shared the idea that the relations can be enhanced through cooperation in the above sectors. The Foreign Minister also agreed that several pending bilateral agreements can be signed during Bangladesh Foreign Minister's visit to Moscow.
The Bangladesh Foreign Secretary was accompanied by M Amir Hussian Sikder, Bangladesh Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Md Ruhul Alam Siddique, Director (Europe), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Rezina Ahmed, Counsellor, Bangladesh Embassy, Moscow.
Earlier on Thursday, the Foreign Secretary also visited St. Petersburg and had a meeting with Alexander Prohorenko, Chairman of the Committee for Foreign Relations of the St. Petersburg's Government.
They discussed issues relating to trade and economic cooperation, exchange of business delegation and tourism.
BDNEWS/1416 hrs.
