UNB, Dhaka :The Russian Federation has described Bangladesh as a very ‘promising’ country and identified its energy sector as the ‘focal point’ of bilateral cooperation between the two countries.”We believe that Bangladesh will be able to achieve its ambitious development goals and Russia remains Bangladesh’s friend and partner (in its development drive),” said Russian Ambassador in Dhaka Alexander A Nikolaev. The Russian diplomat was addressing a media interaction – DCAB Talk – at the Jatiya Press Club. Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) arranged the interaction with its president Angur Nahar Monty in the chair. DCAB general secretary Pantho Rahman also spoke.Nikolaev, who leaves Dhaka on March 10 completing his four-year diplomatic assignment here, also said a strong energy sector is a major precondition to overall development of any modern state and Bangladesh is doing its best to achieve universal electrification by the year 2021.Terming the Russia’s relations with the current government ‘excellent’, the Russian Ambassador said this is ‘guaranteed’ that the ties will be continued under any ‘potential government’ in the coming 20, 30 or 100 years.He reassured that the Rooppur nuclear power plant (NPP) will be 100 percent safe and suggested the journalists to ask about the safety issue to technologically sound and educated persons to get 100 percent clear and understandable answers.”I’m very satisfied that the NPP project is supported not only by the Awami League government but also the representatives of the BNP,” Nikolaev said referring to his discussion with BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and other leaders in the past. Expressing satisfaction over what has been achieved in the last four years, the envoy said the next Russian envoy to Bangladesh might face a ‘big challenge’ in taking forward the achievements but hoped that he will surely succeed. Responding to a question on Bangladesh’s participation in the Saudi-led alliance (govt described it as center) to combat terrorism, the Russian Ambassador said it initially had astonished Russia.
