The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, Abdulla Shahid, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Dr A.K Abdul Momen has held a joint press conference this afternoon at Hotel Intercontinental at Dhaka. Minister Shahid is currently in Bangladesh as part of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's high-level delegation joining him on his state visit to Bangladesh.
In his statement during the joint press conference, Minister Shahid thanked the President of Bangladesh, Md Abdul Hamid, for inviting President Solih to be the Guest of Honour at the celebrations marking the Birth Centenary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He spoke at length about Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, distinguishing him as a champion of democracy and freedom and as a timeless icon.
Minister Shahid went on to describe the historical ties between the Maldives and Bangladesh. He expressed his confidence that with the bilateral talks between President Solih and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, earlier today, the relationship between the two republics would thrive towards further mutual benefit. During the bilateral talks, the Prime Minister had announced that Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the Bangladeshi national flag carrier, will start flights to the Maldives very soon - an announcement welcomed by the President.
The Minister further outlined the four Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) signed between the Maldives and Bangladesh earlier today, representing them as stepping stones towards further bilateral ties. He stated that more agreements were being discussed, notably in preferential trade and investment, customs matters and avoidance of double taxation. Minister Shahid also gave insight into the international issues of mutual concern discussed between the two republics, highlighting sustainable development, security and climate change.
Concluding his statement, the Minister thanked the Bangladeshi government for the hospitality provided to President Solih, First Lady Fazna Ahmed and the Maldivian delegation during this state visit. He reiterated President Solih's invitation to the President and Prime Minister of Bangladesh to visit the Maldives at their earliest convenience. He also extended the same invitation to the Bangladeshi Foreign Minister.
