Deal signed to cement ties with Laos

Bangladesh and Laos yesterday signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in political and economic areas, and expand connectivity in the region.
The agreement came during the official bilateral talks at the Laotian Prime Minister's office.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who arrived here on November 4 to attend the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit (ASEM9), led the Bangladesh delegation at the talks while her counterpart Thongsing Thammavong represented the Lao People's Democratic Republic.
This was the first-ever visit of Hasina to Laos, also by any Bangladeshi head of government.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, Ambassador at-Large M Ziauddin, Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes and Bangladesh Ambassador to Laos Supradip Chakma were present during the meeting.
After the discussions, officials of the two countries signed an agreement to give exemption of visa requirements for government officials and diplomats of both the countries, and also to take the bilateral relations concerning mutual interest to a new height in near future.
Dipu Moni, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith signed the agreement for their countries.
PM's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad said the Laotian prime minister gave his consent to make a reciprocal visit to Dhaka in the shortest possible time.
He said the two prime ministers also agreed to cooperate with each other in development of human resources, poverty alleviation, and education particularly in granting scholarship to students for higher studies.
Later, Hasina called on President of Laos Choummaly Sayasone at his residence and extended to him the greetings of Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman.
During the meeting, Hasina offered him that Bangladesh could provide doctors, engineers, nurses, teachers, IT experts, accountants, and manpower for agriculture, horticulture, aqua-fisheries and also for mining and construction.
Earlier, the prime minister also paid homage at the monument of unknown soldiers of Laos who had sacrificed their lives fighting against the occupation forces.
After reaching the monument at Lao Deng, Hasina placed a wreath there and stood for a while in silence as the last post was played on the bugle. Dipu Moni and Ziauddin were also present there among others.
After wrapping up her six-day official visit to Vietnam and Laos, the prime minister and members of her entourage landed at Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 6:35pm on a VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.