Moscow keen to boost ties in energy sector

Russian FM tells Dipu Moni

21 May 2010, 18:00 PM

Unb, Dhaka

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov yesterday expressed his keenness to intensify cooperation with Bangladesh in various fields, including the energy sector, and forge closest ties to work hand in hand. Lavrov expressed the eagerness during an official meeting with Foreign Minister Dipu Moni at the foreign ministry in Moscow, according to a message from Bangladesh Mission in Moscow. Dipu Moni recalled the enormous contributions of the former USSR to the independence of Bangladesh in 1971 as well as to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the war ravaged country. She emphasised the foundation of close bilateral relations laid down by the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and conveyed the intention of his daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, to revive that “natural” relationship through cooperation in all conceivable areas for mutual interests. Dipu Moni and Lavrov agreed on taking concrete steps and initiatives for enhancement of trade, promotion of Russian investment, collaboration on food security and agricultural development, and strengthening cultural ties through exchange programmes. They also discussed the ways and means of enhancing bilateral trade and investments, and removing barriers to trade. They concurred on intensifying traditional cooperation in the areas of education and defence between the two friendly countries. Bangladesh foreign minister made a special request for a permanent property for Bangladesh Mission in Moscow. Lavrov expressed his government's full support for establishing nuclear power plants in Bangladesh. Both the FMs expressed satisfaction over the signing of the 'Framework Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of the Use of Nuclear Energy for Peaceful Purposes'. Architect Yeafesh Osman, State Minister for Science and ICT, signed the agreement on behalf of the Bangladesh while Sergey Kirienko, director general of the state Atomic Energy Corporation - Rosatom - signed on behalf of Russia. Both the countries agreed to work jointly on further steps for the nuclear power plants and speed up necessary actions. Russia expressed its willingness to support Bangladesh in enhancing power generation through modernisation and rehabilitation of Russian-built conventional power plants along with the technology of combined cycle generation and developing new units of production to meet growing power deficit in Bangladesh. The two foreign ministers emphasised working together in oil and gas exploration and development of the sector for which delegations of Russian State Company - Gazprom - will visit Bangladesh for assessment and conclusion of an MoU. They also agreed to work together in the area of counter-terrorism and to develop a joint-working group for that purpose. Lavrov said that the Russian leadership was looking forward to receiving Hasina in Russia. Dr SM Saiful Hoque, Bangladesh Ambassador to the Russian Federation, was present at the meeting.