Mustafiz leaves for Moscow

Foreign Minister ASM Mustafizur Rahman left here yesterday afternoon for Moscow on a four-day official visit to the Soviet Union. reports UNB. Mustafiz is leading a four member delegation. The visit is taking ,place at the invitation of Soviet Foreign Minister Alexander A Bessmertnykh. It included, among others, Additional Foreign Secretary Riaz Rahman and Director General (Eastern Europe) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Muhammad Zamir. Mustafiz during his stay in the Soviet capital, is likely to call on President Gorbachev. The Foreign Minister will discuss with his Soviet counterpart matters of bilateral interests and regional and international issues of common concern. Increase of trade volume between the two countries, especially export of Bangladesh garments, will figure prominently in the discussions. Mustafiz will also have talks with Soviet Minister for Foreign Economic Relations Katushev on expansion of bilateral economic co-operations. Bangladesh and the Soviet Union are expected to sign a Consular Agreement during the visit. This is first visit to the Soviet Union, by a Bangladesh Minister in last 18 years.