Energy cooperation to get priority during Lavrov’s visit: Shahriar

State minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Thursday said energy cooperation between Dhaka and Moscow will get the highest priority during the upcoming visit of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Dhaka.

“We have received confirmation from Moscow that the Russian foreign minister will visit here (Dhaka),” he told journalists at the foreign ministry.

The state minister said during the visit, Dhaka will try to explore the way to import oil and gas from Russia at fair prices.

Besides, Dhaka will also highlight the completion of the ongoing Ruppoor Nuclear power plant within the stipulated time frame.

The Russian foreign minister will visit Dhaka mainly to attend the 22nd IORA Council of Ministers (COM) meeting, scheduled for November 24.

Apart from his key focus on the IORA meeting, Alam said, the Russian foreign minister will be engaged with Dhaka over bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest.

Lavrov’s visit in Bangladesh amid ongoing Russia-Ukraine war is significant, said the state minister.

The Russian foreign minister will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and also hold a bilateral meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Dr A K Abdul Momen.

Russia is a dialogue partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).