Russia, Norway, Sweden, Denmark envoys call on Tarique Rahman

The Ambassadors of Russia, Norway, Sweden and Denmark in Dhaka met BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday and discussed various issues related to bilateral interests and ways to strengthen future ties with Bangladesh.

The envoys of Norway, Sweden and Denmark in Dhaka first met Tarique around 11:00am at the BNP Chairman's Gulshan office.

Later, Russian Amba-ssador to Bangladesh Alexander Grigoryevich Khozin also held a meeting with the BNP Chairman at the same office.

BNP Joint Secretary General Humayun Kabir, Chairman's Advisory Council member Dr Mahdi Amin, Press Secretary Saleh Shibly and BNP International Affairs Secretary Rashedul Haq were present at the meetings.

Briefing reporters afterwards, Humayun Kabir said the meetings were courtesy calls and focused on issues of national interest, including ways to strengthen bilateral relations with friendly countries in the coming days.

"I said yesterday (Monday) as well that there is special interest within the international community in BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman-both in his leadership and his vision for Bangladesh's development," he said.

The BNP leader said the talks covered areas such as trade, investment, energy and education, as well as how BNP's proposed 31-point reform programme could be implemented if the party receives a public mandate in the February-12 election.

"We discussed how we can work together through foreign economic cooperation and strengthen bilateral relations in the interest of Bangladesh," he said.    �"UNB