More student scholarships, better immigration facilities sought
Thursday, 24 July 2008
SINGAPORE, Jul 23 (UNB): Bangladesh sought more scholarships for students and better immigration facilities for its people from Australia.
Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury made the request Wednesday when he met his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting currently being held here.
The meeting covers a wide range of bilateral issues, including trade, development cooperation, immigration and security.
This was the first high-level contact between the Government of Bangladesh and the new Government in Australia formed by the Labour Party.
The Foreign Adviser had paid a bilateral visit to Australia during the term of office of the previous Liberal Party-led government when he was very warmly received by the former Foreign Minister, Alexander Downing.
"Bangladesh sees in Australia a very close friend and strategic partner. We share many Commonwealth values. We have common interest in cricket for instance. Australia has recently expanded development cooperation by over 33%. I have requested Foreign Minister Smith for more scholarships for students and better immigration facilities for Bangladeshis," he told the media afterwards.
The new Australian government led by Kevin Rudd has announced relations with Asia as key to its foreign policy.
"This is good for us," the Foreign Adviser said, adding: "We are developing close contacts with Southeast Asia and Eastern Asia now, and can also act as a bridge between the region and Australia."
Meanwhile, the Foreign Adviser held a meeting with his Myanmar counterpart U Nyan Win here Wednesday afternoon and discussed bilateral matters, including trade and lease of land.
Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury made the request Wednesday when he met his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting currently being held here.
The meeting covers a wide range of bilateral issues, including trade, development cooperation, immigration and security.
This was the first high-level contact between the Government of Bangladesh and the new Government in Australia formed by the Labour Party.
The Foreign Adviser had paid a bilateral visit to Australia during the term of office of the previous Liberal Party-led government when he was very warmly received by the former Foreign Minister, Alexander Downing.
"Bangladesh sees in Australia a very close friend and strategic partner. We share many Commonwealth values. We have common interest in cricket for instance. Australia has recently expanded development cooperation by over 33%. I have requested Foreign Minister Smith for more scholarships for students and better immigration facilities for Bangladeshis," he told the media afterwards.
The new Australian government led by Kevin Rudd has announced relations with Asia as key to its foreign policy.
"This is good for us," the Foreign Adviser said, adding: "We are developing close contacts with Southeast Asia and Eastern Asia now, and can also act as a bridge between the region and Australia."
Meanwhile, the Foreign Adviser held a meeting with his Myanmar counterpart U Nyan Win here Wednesday afternoon and discussed bilateral matters, including trade and lease of land.