Dhaka, 12 April 2018

Second Bangladesh-Finland political consultations held in Dhaka today at the State Guest House Meghna. Khurshed Alam, Secretary (Maritime Arrairs Unit), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka and Sipilaionen Anne Marjaana, Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Security Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland led respective delegations to the consultations. Two sides underscored the need for exchanging frequent visits and intensifying interactions at the political level. Finnish side also expressed interest to host the visit of the Foreign Minister to Helsinki later this year.

In the meeting, two sides discussed about the entire gamut of bilateral relations. Two sides agreed to foster cooperation in education sector including creating more opportunities for Bangladeshi students and professionals for higher education, research and training in forestry & Environmental sciences, bio-technology & Bio-Economy, ICT, renewable energy by building greater rapport among the universities of the two countries. Two sides also agreed to work on building partnership in implementing the SDGs, Agenda 2030 and mitigating the adverse affect of climate change. They committed to forge cooperation in bilateral trade and investment to enhance bilateral trade up to its potential. In this regard, they agreed to hold the first ever Bangladesh Finland business and investment forum in Dhaka later this year.

The ongoing Rohingya crisis occupied a major portion of the discussions. Finnish side appreciated Bangladesh for hosting a large numbers of Rohingyas and for her role to uphold international and humanitarian laws. Bangladesh side urged to increase pressure on Myanmar to compel them to take back its nationals from Bangladesh in a sustainable manner and to hold Myanmar armed forces for ethnic cleansing in Rakhine state. Bangladesh side also viewed that accountability of Myanmar military administration can create space for democratic government.

Two sides agreed to hold next round of political consultations in Helsinki in June 2019.