Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Tuesday underscored the necessity of further consolidating cooperation in all areas of mutual interest between Bangladesh and Nepal.
He expressed his hope that the ongoing sectoral collaboration will be expanded and pursued during the term of newly appointed Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanshyam Bhandari.
Ambassador Bhandari met the minister at the latter's office in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The envoy said the bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and Nepal is growing steadily in the sectors such as trade, power, connectivity, education, tourism, and people-to-people contacts.
The foreign minister reaffirmed the importance of strong relations between the two countries, mentioning that Bangladesh and Nepal have been maintaining cordial ties since independence, according to the ministry.
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Momen expressed satisfaction that the two countries recently celebrated their 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties on April 8, 2022.
He expressed gratitude for the support of the people of Nepal during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971 and its early recognition of Bangladesh as an independent country.
Momen recalled the visit of the president of Nepal to Bangladesh on March 22-23 last year during the celebration of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman which added momentum to the bilateral ties between Bangladesh and Nepal.
Bhandari underscored the necessity of expanding trade and commerce between the two countries and sought the support of Bangladesh in relaxing tariffs on Nepalese commodities.
He emphasised regular interaction and stressed holding the next Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between Bangladesh and Nepal at an early date.
The envoy further expressed his desire to work for further deepening the bilateral relations during his tenure.
Bhandari presented his ‘Letters of Credence’ to President Md Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban on August 31.
