CA holds talks with Saarc leaders
Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have agreed to revive Joint Economic Commission (JEC) to boost trade relations between the two south Asian countries.
The identical views were expressed while Chief Adviser (CA) Fakhruddin Ahmed and Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse had bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 15th Saarc Summit in Colombo. The meeting was held at the President's Secretariat yesterday morning.
Responding to the Sri Lankan president, the CA said he will ask the foreign ministry to start process to revive the Joint Economic Commission.
The CA also held bilateral meetings with President of the Maldives Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Prime Minister of Nepal Girija Prasad Koirala.
He said Bangladesh attaches great importance to its relation with Sri Lanka based on common culture and heritage.
The CA said operation of air services between Dhaka and Colombo in private sector will further expand trade relations and people-to-people contact.
He also emphasised quick ratification of Shipping Agreement between the two countries to expand business and economic ties.
During the meeting, national election in Bangladesh and issues related to mutual interests also came up.
Mahinda also thanked Bangladesh for imparting training to members of Sri Lankan armed forces at National Defence College.
The CA apprised the Lankan president of his government various reforms activities towards election and successful completion of voter list with photographs and national ID card of 80 million voters in less than a year.
He thanked the Sri Lankan president for excellent arrangement for hosting the 15th Saarc summit beginning today.
TALKS WITH GAYOOM
During bilateral meeting with Maldives President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom at Cinnamon Grand Hotel in the afternoon, the CA stressed the need for Saarc plan of action to address the issue of climate change, as south Asian countries are acutely vulnerable to the effects of the menace.
They discussed the worst impacts of climate change on Bangladesh and the Maldives and stressed that the world community should come forward to address the problem.
“We are the first victim of climate change,” the Maldives president said, adding that his government is trying to build up awareness linking climate change, human rights and environment.
The CA said Bangladesh is now vocal against climate change.
In the meeting, the Maldives sought Bangladesh's support in becoming
UN Security Council member in 2019 and member of ECOSOC in the year
2011.
KOIRALA
At the bilateral meeting with Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, The CA said Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, the poorest countries under the Saarc, should work together to get rid of poverty.
He also apprised the Nepalese leader of his government's reforms measures and steps towards holding the general election in December this year.
The Nepalese prime minister apprised the CA of his country's latest political situation regarding formation of the new government.
Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Syed Fahim Munaim briefed newsmen about the meetings.
Earlier, Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed was accorded a red carpet reception as he arrived at Bandarnaike International Airport (BIA) at Katunayake.
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake and his wife received the CA and his wife at the airport. Two tiny tots presented bouquets to the chief adviser and his spouse.
A contingent of Sri Lankan army gave a guard of honour to the chief adviser. The airport ceremonies over, he flew into the Sri Lankan capital by a helicopter.
Thereafter, the CA drove in a ceremonial motorcade to Cinnamon Grand Hotel where he will stay during the summit meet of the heads of government or state of the South Asian countries that begins here today.
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