Dhaka, 11 April 2018:

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam had an official meeting with the Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov Khafizovich in Tashkent, Uzbekistan today. Welcoming the State Minister to Uzbekistan after 18 years of last bilateral visit, he hoped that this visit would reinvigorate the current bilateral relations and facilitate our efforts into new avenues and sectors for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

State Minister Shahriar Alam mentioned that the relations between the two countries started with the historic visit of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to Tashkent in 1973 and further developed through the years. However, both of them opined that there were ample of scopes to expand the current relations encompassing more mutually beneficial issues. They discussed various agreements, both future and under consideration, which could be concluded between the two countries. State Minister briefed him about the recent development achievements and activities of the Government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the graduation from the LDC status. He also briefed him on the development and the actions taken by Bangladesh for the forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar and thanked him for the Uzbek support.

Shahriar Alam also requested to resume the Uzbek Air flight to Dhaka, facilitate issuance of visa and opening of the Uzbek Mission in Bangladesh. The Uzbek Foreign Minister assured to consider these issues actively. Uzbek Foreign Minister further praised the leadership role of Bangladesh in various international forums and requested for the continued support of Bangladesh in various efforts of Uzbekistan including the multilateral initiative on Afghanistan and its future. Md. Shahriar Alam assured him of our help to Uzbekistan in all regional and global forum. He also reiterated the invitation to participate in the forthcoming OIC CFM to be held in Dhaka. Uzbek Foreign Minister also hosted an official lunch in honour of Md. Shahriar Alam.