Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday urged Russia to find a peaceful way of ending the Ukraine war immediately through negotiation.
Sheikh Hasina came up with the call when Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at her official Ganabhaban residence on Friday morning.
After the meeting between the Bangladesh Prime Minister and Russian Foreign Minister, PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Jahid Tusher briefed the media about the meeting.
“Bangladesh wants a peaceful solution to the ongoing war with Ukraine as the war has been causing sufferings to the entire world,” he said quoting the Prime Minister.
“Besides, various bilateral issues were also discussed with the Russian Foreign Minister,” he said.
At the meeting, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for increasing trade and commerce between the friendly countries and sought larger Russian investment in Bangladesh.
In reply, the Russian foreign minister said they are thinking about importing readymade garments products (RMG) from Bangladesh alongside making investments in Bangladesh's special economic zones.
To this end, Lavrov has sought specific proposals from Bangladesh regarding import of RMG products and investments in economic zones and high-tech parks which will be beneficial for both the countries.
Describing Bangladesh as the second largest partner in terms of commerce and investment in South Asia, the Russian foreign minister stressed the need for increasing communications between the businessmen of the two countries.
Sheikh Hasina recalled with due honour the contribution of Russia in the Liberation War of 1971 and how Russia had helped in removing mines from Chattogram and Mongla seaports soon after the war.
The Russian foreign minister praised Bangladesh's balanced and responsible stance over the Ukraine-Russia war.
In this regard, the Premier reiterated that Bangladesh believes in the foreign policy adopted by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman - "Friendship to all, malice to none."
"Bangladesh maintains the policy strongly for the sake of its overall socio-economic development," she said.
She mentioned that the Father of the Nation visited Russia in 1972 soon after the country's independence.
The meeting also discussed about the progress of the Rooppur Power Plant.
Bangladesh Premier said nuclear fuel will be imported to Bangladesh in October next for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and requested Russian President Vladimir Putin to join the programme virtually.
Besides, the meeting emphasised on finding a way for establishing long-term agreement between the countries for importing fertilizer from Russia.
It also discussed about an agreement signed between the two countries to import 3 lakh tonnes of wheat from Russia.
Lavrov assured of extending cooperation in meeting Bangladesh's energy demand.
The Russian foreign minister highly praised the overall socio-economic and infrastructure development of Bangladesh under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Minister of Science and Technology of Bangladesh Yeafesh Osman, PM's Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah and Senior Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Masud Bin Momen, among others, were present.
After the meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Russian Foreign Minister visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum on Dhanmondi Road 32 where he paid his tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The Rusian Foreign Minister visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum before his departure from Dhaka for attending the G20 Summit in Delhi.
Meanwhile, in a message in the visitors’ book of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov remembered the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s key role in the Independence of Bangladesh.
In the visitors’ book, Sergey Lavrov wrote, “Glad to visit the memorial museum of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of Bangladesh. We remember his key role as a fighter for independence of his nation.”
The Russian foreign minister wrote, “The Soviet Union provided support to his fight and was one of the first countries to recognise Bangladesh.”
The message added, “We cherish our common history and foundation of friendly mutually beneficial relation between our countries established by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."
Lavrov arrived in Dhaka on Thursday, marking the first Bangladesh visit by a Russian foreign minister.
He came to Dhaka ahead of his participation to the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
His visit comes at a time when Western countries are keeping Russia under pressure over Ukraine war.
The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a joint press briefing with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. AK Abdul Momen at a hotel in the capital Dhaka on Thursday night said Bangladesh is the second largest business partner among the South Asian countries.
Describing Bangladesh as a good and long-standing friend, the Russian Foreign Minister also said Russia encourages continuous negotiations with Myanmar on Rohingya issue and expressed hopes of finding a solution to this crisis.
This is the first visit to Bangladesh by any Russian Foreign Minister since independence.
In his speech, the Russian Foreign Minister said they agreed to boost and strengthen trade and investment relations with Bangladesh alongside intensifying bilateral contact.
Blasting foreign meddling, the Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said, “Russia does not support a foreign country interfering in another country’s internal matter.”
Talking about Roopur Nuclear Power Plant, the Russian Foreign Minister said, “We are trying to finish the project on time. However, western countries, including US are trying to create hindrances through imposing sanctions.”
“It is up to the countries which currencies they will prefer to run their trade and commerce,” said Lavrov.
Lavrov said that they discussed Rohingya issue, trade and investment and exports of LNG and fertilizer.
Lavrov mentioned Russia and Bangladesh have been able to move forward their bilateral relationship despite different obstacles.
Lavrov arrived in Dhaka on Thursday on a two-day visit which is seen as an important development amid the changed global scenario.
