PM to visit 4 countries in Oct-Dec
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to undertake a four-nation tour to Italy, the UAE, Nepal and Malaysia during October-December to attend various regional events.
She will visit Italy and the UAE this month while Nepal in November and Malaysia in December.
Foreign ministry sources said Hasina will first attend the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) summit in Milan from October 16-17, at the invitation of President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso.
She will then pay a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) likely on October 26-27 at the invitation of UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
The premier will attend the 18th SAARC Summit scheduled to be held on November 22-27 in Nepal.
In December, the PM is expected to pay a visit to Malaysia at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who extended an invitation to Hasina during his visit to Dhaka in November 2013.
The prime minister has visited Myanmar, Japan, China, the UK and the USA in last nine months since assuming power in January this year.
The 10th ASEM Summit of heads of state and government, themed, "Responsible Partnership for Sustainable Growth and Security," will be chaired by the president of the European Council in association with the president of the European Commission, and hosted by Italy.
Officials said the PM, who will pay a four-day visit to Italy from October 15, will get an opportunity to meet with leaders of 52 Asian and European countries and organisations.
Bangladesh joined the 52-member ASEM in 2012. ASEM is devoted to building up cooperation between Asia and Europe on political, economic and social issues.
Meanwhile, official sources said the PM's visit of UAE is crucial as the Emirates, which used to be one of the largest manpower destinations for Bangladesh, have almost stopped issuing all kinds of entry permits for Bangladeshi passport holders in August, 2012, alleging malpractice in the recruitment process and the use of fake documents by Bangladeshi nationals.
Talking to The Daily Star yesterday, Bangladeshi Ambassador to the UAE Muhammad Imran said a host of important issues, including the visa and recruitment of Bangladeshi workers will top the agenda during prime minister's visit.
He said the date for her visit is yet to be finalised but the visit might take place at the end of this month.
Meanwhile, the 18th SAARC Summit of heads of state and government on "Connectivity for Shared Prosperity" will be attended by all the eight leaders of the South Asian countries.
The November 26-27 summit will be preceded by several meetings of senior officials, foreign secretaries and foreign ministers beginning November 22.
SAARC is a group of eight countries of South Asia, created in 1985 to foster greater cooperation in the region along the ASEAN model.
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