• Diplomatic News

Celebration of 75th Independence Day.

  • Diplomatic News
  • 05 February, 2023 16:14:52

Photo: Collected

Newsdesk: Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen, MP spent a busy day in Sri Lanka today. He is visiting Sri Lanka as honored guest of their celebration of 75th Independence Day. He attended “Independence Parade” featuring march-past, fly-by, and parachute display by the joint Forces at the Galle Face Green, Colombo. The parade was graced by the President of Sri Lanka.

Foreign Minister later paid a courtesy call on President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat. President conveyed Sri Lanka’s gratitude to the government of Bangladesh and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for the timely assistance extended by Bangladesh for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.

Earlier, a bilateral meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In the meeting, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister MUM Ali Sabry and Dr. Momen both underscored the need of expeditious implementation of existing sectoral cooperation with special focus on ongoing Preferential Trade Negotiation, cooperation in business and investment, tourism and enhanced connectivity. Dr. Momen requested his Sri Lankan counterpart to reduce the Dhaka-Colombo air fare to promote people-to-people contact and trade and commerce. He emphasized the need for priority berthing for Bangladesh feeder vessels for enhanced shipping connectivity.

Foreign Minister Dr. Momen met Foreign Minister of Nepal Dr. Bimala Rai Paudyal at the sidelines where they discussed matters of mutual interest. State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Hina Rabbani Khar called on Bangladesh Foreign Minister. He reiterated to the State Minister that Pakistan should formally apologize for the atrocities perpetrated against unarmed Banglaees in 1971. State Minister for Foreign Affairs of India, Shri V. Muraleedharan also met Foreign Minister of Bangladesh. They discussed about the upcoming bilateral visits and the issues of mutual interest and emphasized trade and commerce for the benefit of the people of the two countries.

All the Ministers from South Asian countries appreciated the current government under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for continued economic advancement of Bangladesh.

In the evening, Foreign Minister Dr. Momen attended a reception hosted by the President in honour of visiting Foreign Ministers/dignitaries from other South Asian countries namely India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and Secretary General of Commonwealth as well as State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Foreign Minister Dr. Momen will return to Dhaka tomorrow.

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