ZCZC
BSS-43
RUSSIA-BANGLADESH-RELATIONS
Diplomats seek Russian support to accelerate Bangladesh’s development
DHAKA, July 10, 2018 (BSS) – Diplomats and academics at a seminar today
sought the support of Russia to further accelerate the development of
Bangladesh, saying diplomatic initiatives should be taken to create new
fields of collaboration between the two countries.
Bangladesh-Russia Moitree Samity arranged the seminar on ‘Bangladesh-Russia
Relations, Tested Friend of the Liberation War and Development Partner:
Present Perspective’ at Samson H Chowdhury Auditorium of Dhaka Club here in
the evening.
Speaking at the seminar as the chief guest, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque
said Russia is providing its support to Bangladesh in three major sectors –
energy security, trade and defense.
“Russia-Bangladesh relationship has widened after Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina’s official visit to Moscow in 2013. Father of the Nation Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman laid the foundation of bilateral relations of the two
countries immediately after the Bangladesh’s independence,” he said.
“We have strengthened our security with support from Russia, especially in
air defense,” Shahidul said.
Highlighting the country’s trade and investment potential, he said
Bangladesh is looking for a market in Russia for its readymade garment (RMG)
sector.
Former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University (DU) Prof Dr AAMS Arefin
Siddique paid rich tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman and the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the 1971 Liberation
War.
“Many students from different departments, including Nuclear Engineering of
Dhaka University, are going to Russia to pursue higher education. Besides,
the two nations are enhancing their intimacy through exchange of sports and
culture,” he said.
Prof Arefin, also president of Bangladesh-Russia Moitri Samity, said there
is no sculpture of any foreign personality at DU except Russian litterateur
Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin.
Ambassador of Bangladesh to Russia Saiful Hoque recalled the historical
relations of Bangladesh and Russia, and made a power-point presentation on
the then Soviet Union’s (USSR) assistance during the Bangladesh’s Liberation
War in 1971.
Minister-Counsellor of Russian Embassy in Dhaka Sergei A Popov and Head of
the Russian Centre of Science and Culture in Dhaka Alexander P Demin, among
others, spoke at the seminar.
Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research and Development) of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib
Medical University Prof Dr Md Shahidullah Sikder read out a keynote paper.
BSS/Asg/MMN/MRI/2140 hrs