PM calls for closer fraternity in fight against climate change, poverty
Sunday, 8 November 2009
THIMPU, Nov 7 (UNB): King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck sought Bangladesh's support for hosting the 16th summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had an audience with the Monarch discussing ways of bolstering bilateral cooperation.
The King of the landlocked Himalayan kingdom - now in the process of democratic transition - sought the support when the visiting Prime Minister met him at his office, Tashichodzong, Saturday morning amidst royal ceremonies.
He also sought Bangladesh's cooperation in expediting socio-economic development of Bhutan.
Regarding the SAARC summit, Prime Minister Hasina assured the King of providing all possible support to Bhutan for holding the annual conference of the regional grouping, said Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister (PM) Nazrul Islam.
About the socio-economic issues, Hasina said her government would always stand by Bhutan for helping it in attaining the development targets.
The PM arrived at the King's office in a ceremonial motorcade led by a colourful traditional Bhutanese procession known as 'Chhipdrel' at 9:20am (local time).
The ceremonial march started from the South Gate of Tashichhodzong royal office. On her arrival at the South Gate, Dzongda (governor) of Thimpu Lhab Dorji and senior government officials received Hasina and her delegation.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, Adviser to the Prime Minister HT Imam, Industries Minister Dilip Barua, Commerce Minister Faruk Khan, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister MA Karim and Ambassador Ziauddin, among others, accompanied the Prime Minister at the ceremonies.
Several hundred Bhutanese males and females from various cultural groups of the country, wearing different types of colourful dresses depicting Bhutanese traditions, joined the reception pageantry.
The participants in the procession danced and sang to the tunes of flutes and beat of drums and many other traditional musical instruments.
At the main entrance of the King's office, the ADC to the King, senior government officials and Bhutan's Chief of Protocol received Hasina.
The Bangladesh PM was then escorted to the South Court of the King's office premises and accorded a guard of honour as national anthems of the two South Asian nations were played.
Standing on a podium, Hasina received salute of the Bhutanese Royal Army. Later, she inspected the guards.
After the royal reception, the PM was then escorted into the King's chamber where she had the audience with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
On the occasion of Hasina's meet with the Bhutanese King, the whole of the city was decorated with big ceremonial arches as well as banners and festoons, and national flags of the two friendly countries.
Hundreds of students, standing in queues, welcomed the Prime Minister on her way to the King's palace from her hotel.
The deputy press secretary to the PM said during the hour-long meeting, the Bangladesh Prime Minister and the Bhutanese King discussed various issues related to bilateral development, culture and history in a very "cordial manner".
Hasina through the present King thanked his father, former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, for voluntarily introducing democracy in the kingdom.
The Bangladesh Prime Minister and the Bhutanese King also shared climate woes, as both the countries were victims of the fallout of global warming caused by excessive carbon emissions from the developed countries.
Hasina reiterated her call for closer fraternity among the South Asian countries to face the challenges of climate change and poverty alleviation.
The King of the landlocked Himalayan kingdom - now in the process of democratic transition - sought the support when the visiting Prime Minister met him at his office, Tashichodzong, Saturday morning amidst royal ceremonies.
He also sought Bangladesh's cooperation in expediting socio-economic development of Bhutan.
Regarding the SAARC summit, Prime Minister Hasina assured the King of providing all possible support to Bhutan for holding the annual conference of the regional grouping, said Deputy Press Secretary to the Prime Minister (PM) Nazrul Islam.
About the socio-economic issues, Hasina said her government would always stand by Bhutan for helping it in attaining the development targets.
The PM arrived at the King's office in a ceremonial motorcade led by a colourful traditional Bhutanese procession known as 'Chhipdrel' at 9:20am (local time).
The ceremonial march started from the South Gate of Tashichhodzong royal office. On her arrival at the South Gate, Dzongda (governor) of Thimpu Lhab Dorji and senior government officials received Hasina and her delegation.
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, Adviser to the Prime Minister HT Imam, Industries Minister Dilip Barua, Commerce Minister Faruk Khan, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister MA Karim and Ambassador Ziauddin, among others, accompanied the Prime Minister at the ceremonies.
Several hundred Bhutanese males and females from various cultural groups of the country, wearing different types of colourful dresses depicting Bhutanese traditions, joined the reception pageantry.
The participants in the procession danced and sang to the tunes of flutes and beat of drums and many other traditional musical instruments.
At the main entrance of the King's office, the ADC to the King, senior government officials and Bhutan's Chief of Protocol received Hasina.
The Bangladesh PM was then escorted to the South Court of the King's office premises and accorded a guard of honour as national anthems of the two South Asian nations were played.
Standing on a podium, Hasina received salute of the Bhutanese Royal Army. Later, she inspected the guards.
After the royal reception, the PM was then escorted into the King's chamber where she had the audience with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.
On the occasion of Hasina's meet with the Bhutanese King, the whole of the city was decorated with big ceremonial arches as well as banners and festoons, and national flags of the two friendly countries.
Hundreds of students, standing in queues, welcomed the Prime Minister on her way to the King's palace from her hotel.
The deputy press secretary to the PM said during the hour-long meeting, the Bangladesh Prime Minister and the Bhutanese King discussed various issues related to bilateral development, culture and history in a very "cordial manner".
Hasina through the present King thanked his father, former King Jigme Singye Wangchuck, for voluntarily introducing democracy in the kingdom.
The Bangladesh Prime Minister and the Bhutanese King also shared climate woes, as both the countries were victims of the fallout of global warming caused by excessive carbon emissions from the developed countries.
Hasina reiterated her call for closer fraternity among the South Asian countries to face the challenges of climate change and poverty alleviation.