Russian FM arrives Dhaka today
Diplomatic Correspondent :
Dhaka is gearing up to welcome Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on a landmark two-day visit, scheduled to begin today (Thursday).
This visit precedes the G20 meeting in New Delhi and is viewed as a pivotal move by Moscow to bolster bilateral relations with the South Asian nation.
During his stay in Dhaka, Sergey Lavrov is expected to engage in
high-level meetings, starting with a rendezvous with Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on September 7 at a city hotel in the evening.
After a bilateral meeting, a joint press briefing will be held focusing on bilateral engagements in the upcoming days, as confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday.
The following day, he will have a call on with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina before departing for the G20 conference in New Delhi, accompanied by a delegation, according to sources within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Several multilateral issues are expected to be on the agenda during Lavrov’s visit, including discussions on the Russia-Ukraine war, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project, trade and investment collaborations, the Rohingya crisis, and Bangladesh’s upcoming general election.
The Russian Foreign Ministry, in a press briefing in Moscow on Tuesday stated, “On September 7-8, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will pay a working visit to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
The Russian Foreign Minister’s program includes a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as well as talks with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen.”
During the upcoming visit, the two nations will conduct a comprehensive examination of the current state and prospects for further developing Russian-Bangladeshi relations.
The agenda also includes discussions on pressing regional and international issues, as articulated by Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
This visit marks the first official visit of Sergey Lavrov to Bangladesh, following an earlier planned visit that was canceled due to unavoidable circumstances.
It is worth noting that no minister from the former Soviet Union, which supported Bangladesh during its Liberation War, has visited Bangladesh until now.
Nevertheless, the relationship between Dhaka and Moscow has endured and thrived even after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
With the parliamentary elections scheduled to take place early next year, Dhaka is closely observing Lavrov’s visit with great enthusiasm and attention.
Beyond bilateral business and trade ties, Dhaka and Moscow are deeply engaged in the ambitious Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant project.
Lavrov’s visit is expected to shed light on various issues that will shape the future relations between the two countries, offering insights into the evolving dynamics of this strategic partnership.
