State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam has proposed to form an Inter-Parliament Friendship Group between Bangladesh and Portugal as a forum to foster contacts and exchanges between the parliaments of the two countries.
He made the proposal at a meeting held with Vice President of Portugal’s Assembly Adao Jos, Fonseca Silva at the Parliament of Portugal on Wednesday, a foreign ministry press release said here.
During the talks, the vice president responded positively to the proposal to form the friendship group and agreed to work on it.
He acknowledged the contribution of Bangladeshi expatriates in Portugal and the robust people-to-people ties existing between the countries.
To make Portuguese universities more accessible to Bangladeshi students, Alam urged him to encourage the government of Portugal to open an Embassy in Dhaka or offer periodic consular services in Dhaka from the Portuguese Embassy in New Delhi.
The state minister apprised him of Bangladesh’s impressive economic growth under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and its plans for continued progress in post-LDC period.
Discussing global issues of mutual concern, Alam sought continued support of Portugal on the issue of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals at the international level.
The vice president stressed for a high-level participation from Bangladesh side for the upcoming Second UN Ocean Summit to be held from 27th June to 1st July in Portugal.
Alam was accompanied by Bangladesh Ambassador to Lisbon Tarik Ahsan and other officials.
Earlier in the day, the state minister arrived in Lisbon on a four-day official visit to Portugal.
This is the highest-level bilateral visit that has ever taken place between Bangladesh and Portugal.
During this visit, Bangladesh State Minister is also scheduled to meet with Portugal’s Minister of Economy and Sea as well as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, apart from attending other engagements.
Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)