Dhaka, Mar 10: Bangladesh and Finland should observe the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2022 in a befitting manner through high-level political visits, investment dialogues and cultural exchanges”, said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen during his virtual meeting with his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavis.
During their hour-long meeting on Tuesday, the two ministers recalled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s meeting with President Sauli Niniistö of Finland in Helsinki in June 2019. The two Ministers stressed the importance of the regular exchange of high-level visits and diplomatic consultations.
The Finnish Foreign Minister congratulated Bangladesh for the projected graduation from the LDC status in 2026. Both Foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction at the business dialogue held between the two sides in December 2020.
Dr Momen urged Finland to explore investment opportunities in Special Economic Zones and HI-TECH Parks in Bangladesh. The two Ministers discussed the possibility of initiating work on a bilateral Agreement on Double Taxation.
The Finnish Foreign Minister appreciated Bangladesh’s humanitarian gesture to the forcibly displaced Rohingya from Myanmar. He assured of remaining engaged with the situation leveraging Finland’s engagement in certain mediation efforts in Myanmar. Foreign Minister Momen urged Finland and the other EU Member States to work towards early, voluntary repatriation of the Rohingya in safety and dignity.
The two Ministers agreed to enhance cooperation on climate change issues, including through the Coalition of Finance Ministers on Climate Change that Finland co-Chairs. Minister Momen flagged Bangladesh’s work on the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, Presidency of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), and hosting of a regional office of the Global Centre on Adaptation.
Foreign Minister Haavisto recognized the contribution of the Bangladesh diaspora to Finnish society. The two Ministers agreed to work on cultural exchange and knowledge partnership for fostering human connectivity.
Bangladesh’s non-resident Ambassador to Finland Md Nazmul Islam also joined the meeting.
(UNI)
