Dhaka, Baku to expand bilateral cooperation

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President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has said his country is keen to widen bilateral relations with Bangladesh, particularly the economic cooperation, reports UNB. President Ilham Aliyev said this when Foreign Minister (FM) Dr Dipu Moni met him on Monday in Baku, Azerbaijan, according to a message received in Dhaka. The President appreciated the role of Bangladesh in supporting Azerbaijan on its issue of territorial integrity, including supporting UN resolutions regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute when FM reiterated Bangladesh's steadfast support for Azerbaijan in this regard. Both Bangladesh and Azerbaijan also agreed to establish Joint Economic Commission (JEC) between the two countries to explore untapped trade, economic and investment opportunities between the two brotherly countries. Acknowledging the good reputation of Bangladesh workers and professionals who are working overseas, particularly in the Gulf, the Azerbaijani President agreed to have manpower cooperation instrument signed between Bangladesh and Azerbaijan which is under active consideration by State Migration Service of Azerbaijan. The Foreign Minister requested the Azerbaijani President to open an Azerbaijan Embassy in Dhaka and provide scholarships to Bangladeshi students to study petrochemical sciences in Azerbaijan. Ilham Aliyev assured Dipu Moni of considering these matters, and also gladly accepted an invitation to visit Bangladesh as soon as possible. The Bangladesh delegation is visiting Baku for a bilateral visit to Azerbaijan as well as to attend OIC Conference of Donors for Palestine from 10-11 June 2013 led by Foreign Minister Dipu Moni. Later, she had a long meeting with the Economic Development Minister Shahin Mustafayev, who termed the Foreign Minister's first-ever visit to Baku as the 'turning point' in the Azerbaijan-Bangladesh relations.