Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Dhaka at 6:00pm on Thursday. His Bangladeshi counterpart Dr AK Abdul Momen welcomed the Russian minister at Dhaka airport. — FE Photo 
Visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Thursday lauded Bangladesh for maintaining a foreign policy in line with its national interests "despite pressures from the USA and the West".
"We appreciate the fact that despite the pressure exerted upon Bangladesh by the United States and its allies, our Bangladeshi friends [are] guided exclusively by their national interests in their foreign policy," Mr Lavrov told a press briefing following a bilateral meeting.
According to sources, Russia, a major supplier of military hardware to Bangladesh, also expressed its intention during the meeting to supply more arms.
He said in the meeting both countries have agreed to increase and strengthen trade and investment relations. "We have also noted that Bangladesh is Russia's second biggest partner in South Asia after India."
"In recent years, our trade turnover has been regularly over 2 billion US dollars. And in 2022, it has totalled almost 3 billion."
He also mentioned that the construction of the Russian flagship project, the Rooppur nuclear power plant, is being carried out in a consistent manner according to the schedule.
"And in October, we expect the first batch of the nuclear fuel to arrive in Bangladesh," he added.
He also assured to accelerate cooperation in the energy sector.
"We also have some promising projects of cooperation in the gas field. Gazprom International company is engaged in that matter. It has drilled over 20 wells in Bangladesh and is ready to continue doing so," he added.
He mentioned that relevant agencies are discussing the practical aspects of the possible supply of LNG to Bangladesh. "We are also discussing possible supply of wheat and fertilizers."
About the Rohingya crisis, he said this "very high profile issue" was discussed in the bilateral meeting and Russia "support[s] the continued negotiations within the especially at a great amount of work and growth between Bangladesh and Myanmar".
He observed that "certain outside players use this topic to exert pressure on one of the parties and to interfere in the domestic affairs".
"I believe that this is both counterproductive and unacceptable."
"Russia in Bangladesh closely cooperate at various international platforms including the United Nations, the ASEAN Regional Forum."
"In general, we have exchanged our views on a plethora of issues, and we have outlined possible practical steps that can be taken towards achieving the results that we want [to] strengthen our relations."
"Bangladesh is our good and longstanding partner in South Asia. For over 50 years, we have been building our relations on the basis of friendship and equality," he added.
"And I'm happy to note that despite various objective difficulties, for example, COVID, we maintain the Russia-Bangladesh political dialogue. Today we have agreed to intensify our bilateral contacts in all spheres."
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen were also present at the briefing.
The Russian FM arrived at 6 pm and was received by Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen at the airport.
He will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday morning prior to his departure for Delhi.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com
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