Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on Sunday discussed with his New Zealand counterpart Murray McCully the prospects of enhanced bilateral ties as they met on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meeting in Myanmar’s capital Nay Pyi Taw.
“They discussed matters of mutual interests . . . the two foreign ministers agreed to further widen and strengthen bilateral relations,” a foreign office press release said.
It added that the two foreign ministers in particular discussed the issue of purchase of a ferry boat by New Zealand from Bangladesh.
McCully, it said, appreciated the contributions of Bangladesh community in his country to its socio-economic development.
Ali recalled with gratitude the valuable support and contribution of the people and government of New Zealand during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War and the post independence period.
During the meeting, the New Zealand foreign minister conveyed the invitation of the New Zealand Prime Minister to his Bangladesh counterpart to visit New Zealand early next year.
The Foreign Minister is attending the ASEAN Regional Forum Meeting being held in Nay Pyi Taw from 9 to 10 August 2014.
