Bangladesh reached out to Finland and other European Union member states to work towards quick, safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya people to Myanmar.
Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen requested his Finnish counterpart Pekka Haavisto seeking her country’s intervention into the matter. on Tuesday, a foreign ministry press release said.
Momen said that Bangladesh wants Finland to be a part of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2022 in a befitting manner through high-level political visits, investment dialogues and cultural exchanges.
Bangladesh wants Finland to explore investment opportunities in Special Economic Zones and HI-Tech Parks in Bangladesh.
Momen also flagged Bangladesh’s work on the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, Presidency of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, and hosting of a regional office of the Global Centre on Adaptation.
The Finnish minister lauded Bangladesh’s humanitarian gesture to the forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar.
He assured of remaining engaged with the situation leveraging Finland’s engagement in certain mediation efforts in Myanmar.
The Finnish foreign minister congratulated Bangladesh for the projected graduation from the LDC status in 2026.
Haavisto also recognised the contribution of Bangladesh diaspora to the Finnish society.
During their hour-long conversation, the two ministers recalled prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s meeting with Finnish president Sauli Niniistö in Helsinki in June 2019.
The two ministers stressed the importance of regular exchange of high-level visits and diplomatic consultations.
Both the ministers expressed satisfaction over the business dialogue held between the two sides in December 2020.
The two ministers discussed the possibility of initiating work on a bilateral Agreement on Double Taxation.
They agreed to enhance cooperation on climate change issues, including through the Coalition of Finance Ministers on Climate Change that Finland co-Chairs.