President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Monday put emphasis on exploring the potentials within Bangladesh and East Timor for contributing towards each other’s development and consequently improving bilateral relations.
He came up with the remarks as the visiting East Timor President Jose Ramos Horta made a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban prior to attending a Victory Day reception hosted by the president.
The President said, "Bangladesh has many skilled doctors, engineers, agronomists, information technology specialists and manpower with graduation degrees and technical knowledge. . . East Timor can utilise this skilled manpower for boosting the country’s development trajectory."
Expressing the hope to work together to explore the potential areas of developing ties between Bangladesh and East Timor, he mentioned the importance of human resource development to meet the challenges of a changing world.
Shahabuddin welcomed the President of East Timor with flowers when the latter arrived at Bangabhaban in the afternoon. President’s Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin briefed journalists on the meeting agenda subsequently.
The Head of the State stressed forming a joint-working group to explore new areas of bilateral cooperation with a focus on research, training and higher education.
Besides, the President emphasised enhancing mutual cooperation between the two countries in various fields including food security, poverty alleviation, healthcare, infrastructure, human resource development, energy and climate change.
Noting that Bangladesh is one of the first countries to recognise East Timor after its independence, Shahabuddin said that through Jose Ramos Horta’s visit diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and East Timor will increase further.
The President also welcomed the initiative to open an honourary consulate of East Timor in Bangladesh.
“This will open up new horizon in diplomatic relations between the two countries and accelerate multilateral cooperation including trade and investment” the President hoped.
Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain and secretaries of the President were present during the meeting.
bd-pratidin/GR
