PR. No.120/2008

Date: 07/05/2008  

ADVISER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS BANGLADESH MEETS FOREIGN MINISTER QURESHI

Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Adviser for Foreign Affairs to the Caretaker Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh is paying an official visit to Pakistan from May 6-9, 2008.

Dr. Chowdhury called on Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in Islamabad today. During the meeting, discussions were held on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of common interest. The Foreign Minister also hosted a lunch in honour of the visiting dignitary. 

The two sides reviewed bilateral cooperation and expressed their resolve to further enhance it for the mutual benefit of the peoples of the two countries. They took note of trade and commercial ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh , and stressed the need to enhance the overall volume of bilateral trade. In this regard Pakistan called for concluding an Early Harvest Agreement leading to a Free Trade Agreement between the two countries. The two sides also agreed that the institutional mechanisms to promote bilateral cooperation such as Joint Economic Commission (JEC), and political consultations between the two Foreign Offices would be held this year. Both sides will also consider the setting up of sectoral working groups to promote bilateral cooperation in various fields including trade.

The Adviser for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh briefed the Foreign Minister on the measures that the caretaker government in Bangladesh is undertaking for the betterment of the people of Bangladesh . He also explained that numerous electoral reforms have been initiated to ensure fair and credible elections.

The Adviser for Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh will also call on the President, the Prime Minister, Commerce Minister and Information Minister..

Islamabad

07 May, 2008