Visiting Malaysian Defence Minister Mohamad Bin Sabu on Thursday said preparations are on to sign a memorandum of understanding between Bangladesh and Malaysia on defence training and technical cooperation.
“We’re preparing to sign an MoU on defence training and technical cooperation,” Mohamad Bin Sabu said when he met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina her office.
PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.
The Malaysian minister said the bilateral relations between the two countries are very good. “We’ll continue to promote this for the mutual benefits of the two countries.”
He conveyed greetings of Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to Sheikh Hasina.
Sabu appreciated the economic development of Bangladesh under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. “The country’s 7.78 percent GDP growth is highly appreciable,” he said.
About the Rohingya crisis, he said Malaysia will continue supporting Bangladesh over the repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas.
Sheikh Hasina said the international pressure should continue on Myanmar for taking their nationals back.
She said Bangladesh is now developing an island for relocating the Rohingyas.
Describing the South and Southeast Asian countries as resourceful ones, Sheikh Hasina stressed the need for cooperation among the countries to expedite the development pace of this region.
Focusing on development of agricultural sector in Bangladesh, she said Bangladesh is now a food-sufficient country. “We’ve developed saline and drought-tolerant rice variety, too.”
Emphasizing strengthening the relations among Muslim countries, the Prime Minister described fratricidal conflicts among the Muslim countries as unfortunate.
Hasina congratulated Sabu for being elected as Member of Parliament and being appointed as the Defence Minister of Malaysia in the new cabinet.
She recalled her visit to Malaysia in December 2014 and greeted Mahathir Mohamad.
Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman, Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt Gen Md Mahfuzur Rahman and PM’s Military Secretary Major General Miah Mohammad Zainul Abedin were present at the meeting.
source:UNB
