Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh has requested Portugal to open an Embassy in Dhaka so that Bangladeshi students can get more access to Portuguese universities for higher studies.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam made the request during a meeting with Vice President of the Assembly of Republic of Portugal Adao Jose Fonseca Silva in the Parliament of Portugal in Lisbon on Wednesday.
“To make Portuguese universities more accessible to Bangladeshi students, the government of Portugal can open an Embassy in Dhaka or offer periodic consular services in Dhaka from the Portuguese Embassy in New Delhi. The Vice President welcomed the idea,” State Minister said.
During the talks, the Vice President acknowledged the contribution of Bangladeshi expatriates in Portugal and the robust people-to-people ties existing between the countries.
The State Minister proposed the formation of an Inter-Parliament Friendship Group as a forum to foster contacts and exchanges between the two Parliaments in the near future. The Vice President responded positively to the proposal and agreed to work on it.
The Vice President stressed for a high level participation from Bangladesh side for the upcoming Second UN Ocean Summit to be held from 27th June to 1st July in Portugal.
Shahriar Alam apprised him of Bangladesh’s impressive economic growth under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and its plans for continued progress in post-LDC period.
Discussing global issues of mutual concern, he sought continued support of Portugal on the issue of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals at the international level.
The State Minister was accompanied by Bangladesh Ambassador to Lisbon Tarik Ahsan and other officials.
This is the highest-level bilateral visit that has ever taken place between Bangladesh and Portugal.
During this visit, Bangladesh State Minister is also scheduled to meet with Portugal’s Minister of Economy and Sea as well as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, apart from attending other engagements.
Earlier in the day, the State Minister arrived in Lisbon on a four day official visit to Portugal.
He was received at the airport by the Ambassador Tarik Ahsan, officials of Bangladesh Embassy in Lisbon and leaders of expatriate Bangladesh community in Portugal.
