Bangladesh Foreign Adviser, Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, paid a three-day official visit to Russia from 2 – 5 September 2007.

The Adviser held a detailed formal meeting with the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow on 3 September in course of which they agreed to expand mutual cooperation in political and economic cooperation.

Speaking to the Russian media afterwards Dr. Iftekhar Chowdhury said: “Bangladeshis and the Russians have emotional and intellectual relationships that go back centuries: today we are eager to transform those linkages into effective cooperation”.

In their discussions they covered the issues of possible procurement of food grains, fertilizers and energy from Russia to Bangladesh and for the import into Russia of greater quantum of Bangladeshi manufactures like ready-made garments and pharmaceuticals.

“Bangladesh is an important member of the United Nations and a key international actor. We are also close friends and Russia will lend support to Bangladesh in every possible way. We believe the relationship will be mutually beneficial”, Mr. Sergey Lavrov remarked to the journalists.

Immediately following the talks, the two ceremonially signed a Consular Convention, which they hoped would be the first of several agreements the two governments will contract.

The Foreign Adviser also called on Deputy Prime Minister Mr. S. E. Naryshkin at his office. They underscored the importance of the new political relationship between their countries. “Russia today has a huge role to play in the global arena. As a friend Bangladesh will walk with Russia” Dr. Iftekhar Chowdhury said.

Dr. Iftekhar Chowdhury also had meetings with Mr. Materov Ivan Sergeyevich, Deputy Minister of Industry and Energy and Mr. Viktor N. Lobko, Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg during the visit.