Dhaka, 12 April 2018:

The Under Secretary of State (Foreign and Security Policy), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, Anne Sipilainen met the Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, MP this morning in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

At the beginning, the Finnish Under Secretary of State thanked the government and people of Bangladesh for extending hands for the distressed Rohingya people. Appreciating the support extended by the Finland through the European Union, Foreign Minister urged that Finland, EU and international community should increase more pressure on Myanmar as it is working for ensuring safe and dignified return of forcefully displaced Myanmar nationals.

The Finnish Under Secretary of State assured that Finland along with the European Union will continue to keep pressure on Myanmar for the sustainable return of Rohingya people to their homeland in Myanmar. She also praised the local host community for extending their support to the distressed Rohingya people.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, investment and multilateral fora. The Finnish Under Secretary of State thanked the Bangladesh for its outstanding contribution in the UN particularly in the area of peacekeeping, peace-building and climate change. She expressed her interest to collaborate with Bangladesh in combating climate change as both the countries are vulnerable to the climate change.

The Foreign Minister also invited more Finnish investment to get benefit from investment friendly policy, strategic location of Bangladesh and the country’s graduation from the LDC to the developing country.

The Finnish Under Secretary of State, on behalf of the Finnish Foreign Minister, invited Foreign Minister Ali to visit Finland.

Md. Tohidul Islam
Senior Information Officer
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Mob: 01718543625