Dhaka, Moscow to work for regular contact at political level

Some bilateral agreements might be signed during Morshed Khan's visit to Moscow which, officials said, could lead to meetings at the highest level.

These issues were discussed and agreed at the 5th annual bilateral consultation meeting between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries in Moscow on January 20.

The bilateral consultation was held after years since the two countries signed a protocol in this regard in 1992.

Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexeyev Alexander Yurievich led their respective sides at the meeting in Moscow.

They also agreed that a delegation led by the Executive Chairman of Board of Investment might visit Russia in the second half of this year to explore the possibilities of strengthening economic cooperation.

Message received from Moscow said the entire gamut of bilateral relations was discussed during the consultation.

Hemayet gave a run down of different aspects of Russia-Bangladesh bilateral relations based on trust and friendship.

He told the Russian side that the people of Bangladesh remember with gratitude the invaluable support of the then Soviet Union to the country's Liberation War and in the reconstruction of the war-ravaged nation.

But despite such historic bonds, the two countries failed to foster bilateral trade and economic relations.

Both the sides agreed that exchange of visits at different levels would help further strengthen the existing bilateral relations.

The Russian Deputy Foreign Minister highly lauded Bangladesh's role in regional and international forum, including the Saarc and the UN.

The two sides exchanged views on regional and international issues, including recent development in South Asia, the recent Saarc summit in Dhaka, Asean Regional Forum (ARF), WTO, UN and UN Reforms, and combating terrorism.

The consultation was held in a very friendly, frank and cordial atmosphere and provided the two sides an opportunity to review the existing bilateral relations and discuss ways and means of further expanding cooperation in different areas for mutual benefit of the two countries.

Hemayet also launched the official website of the Bangladesh Embassy at a simple ceremony at the Chancery in Moscow, according to a message received here yesterday.

He also had a meeting with the expatriate and non-resident Bangladesh community leaders living in Moscow and listened to their problems and suggestions regarding trade and investments in Bangladesh.

Hemayet urged them to invest and do business in Bangladesh along with their Russian partners and associates.

He was accompanied by Ambassador to Russia M Amir Hussain Sikder, Defence Attache Air Commodore M Shah Alam, Director (Europe) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ruhul Alam Siddique, Counsellor Rezina Ahmed and Commercial Counsellor Muhammad Abdul Quadir.

The Russian delegation headed by the Deputy Foreign Minister included Deputy Director Trotsenko GP, Chief of Section Listopadov NA and Desk Officer Christina Byoko of the Second Asia Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry.