Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir holds talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali at his office in Riyadh on Wednesday. Bangladesh Ambassador Golam Moshi is seen in this picture, second left.

Visiting Bangladesh Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmoud Ali expressed his firm resolve to join with the Kingdom to fight against terrorism and extremism through meaningful cooperation.

Hassan met his counterpart Adel Al-Jubeir in the capital on Wednesday. He said that both ministers reviewed the whole gamut of bilateral relations between the two countries as well as exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest including mutual cooperation at the UN and other international fora, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Bangladesh has condemned the recent attacks on the Saudi Embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad, and said such acts were “clear violation” of the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations.

“It is the responsibility of the host government to accord necessary protection to the diplomatic and consular missions within its jurisdiction as these are inviolable under international law,” read the statement.

Hassan is on a two-day official visit to the Kingdom on an official invitation from his counterpart Al-Jubeir.

During the bilateral talks held between the two ministers, deputy foreign ministers of different divisions were present on the Saudi side.

The Bangladesh delegation was represented by Ambassador Golam Moshi, Deputy Chief of Mission Nazrul Islam and Consul General, Jeddah, Shahidul Karim and the director of the foreign minister’s office, Asif Rahman, were present.

The Bangladeshi foreign minister conveyed the greetings of Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and proposed that the Bangladesh prime minister may undertake a visit to the Kingdom possibly between March and May this year.

Welcoming the visit, the Saudi foreign minister said the relations between the two brotherly countries has been excellent for many years and also said that King Salman would be happy to receive her. Both the ministers agreed to work on a number of instruments for cooperation on investment, culture, education and agriculture ahead of the visit so that they can be signed during the visit.

They also agreed to sign the memorandum on Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) between the two countries during the visit of Bangladesh prime minister.

Al-Jubeir lauded the role of Bangladesh community in the Kingdom which is contributing to economic developments of both nations. He also agreed to have further cooperation in recruiting more skilled and semi-skilled workers from Bangladesh including doctors and nurses. In this regard, both Foreign Ministers agreed that a delegation from Saudi Health Ministry may undertake a visit to Bangladesh to inspect the medical degrees and other facilities for future recruitment of Bangladeshi health professionals.

Referring to the recently held Joint Commission Meeting between the two countries and the decisions taken there, Bangladesh Foreign Minister further briefed on the recent developments in Bangladesh as well as described pool of quality workers and world class export items such as ready-made garments and pharmaceutical products for possible export to the Kingdom.

On a request made by the government, Al-Jubeir directed the concerned high officials of his ministry present at the meeting to advise the Saudi embassy in Dhaka to issue business visa to Bangladeshi business men from that end .

Both agreed to open branches Bangladeshi commercial banks in Saudi Arabia which would be helpful for boosting trade and investments between the countries.

The visiting minister is expected to have a meeting with OIC secretary-general in Jeddah on Thursday.

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