Bangladesh, UAE Agree On Expanding Partnership

The two countries reached this consensus after official discussions between Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in Dubai on Monday.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid an official visit to the UAE from October 25-27 at the invitation of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

During the visit, the two prime ministers held official discussions on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interests at Zabeel Palace in Dubai on Monday, according to a joint statement issued today.

The discussions between the Bangladesh and UAE leadership were marked by warm, long-standing friendship and understanding between the two peoples and countries, it said.

During the discussions, the statement said, the two sides emphasized the need for further strengthening the existing excellent ties between the two countries.

"The two sides agreed to cooperate in various fields and expand the scope of the partnership in the fields of trade, business and investment in infrastructure," the statement said.

It said both sides also agreed to move forward towards the promotion of cooperative projects between the two countries in the sectors of higher education, culture and tourism and cooperation in the field of energy, including renewable energy, climate change and blue economy, and security issues.

The two sides agreed to further discuss on mobilization of finance and other supports of the UAE in undertaking different projects in Bangladesh. Moreover, the two sides discussed the labour issues between the two countries.

The two sides concluded "The Agreement on Security Cooperation, Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons (TSP)" and "The Agreement on Allotment of a Plot for the UAE Embassy in Dhaka".

In regard to peace and security, the two sides discussed the situations in the Middle East and underscored the need for maintenance of peace and stability for sustainable development of the region.

The two sides expressed deep concern about the growing phenomenon of terrorism and stressed the importance of combating it including ISIS.

During the discussion, the two sides acknowledged with deep reverence for the contributions of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Father of the Nation of Bangladesh, and late President His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founding father of the UAE, for laying the foundation of the existing excellent relationship between the two countries.

The Bangladesh Prime Minister extended an invitation to the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to visit Bangladesh at a mutually convenient time.

The UAE Prime Minister accepted the invitation and conveyed that the dates would be decided through mutual consultations.

The Bangladesh Premier thanked the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and the UAE government and people for the warm and gracious hospitality extended to her and the members of her delegation during their stay in the UAE.

-Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)

Photo: Yeasin Kabir Joy