PM flies to Italy on 4-day visit

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka for Rome this morning on a four-day bilateral visit to hold talks with her Italian counterpart Giuseppe Conte.

A VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying the prime minister and her entourage took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) at 9:45am.

The flight is scheduled to land at Fiumicino Airport, Rome around 4:15pm (Italian time). Minister Plenipotentiary of Italian Foreign Ministry Cristiano Cottafavi and Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy Abdus Sobhan Sikder will receive her at the airport.

In the evening, she will attend a community event at Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel  and  SPA.

On Wednesday (February 5), the prime minister will inaugurate the Chancery Building of Bangladesh Embassy at Via Dell'Antartide in Rome.

After that, Sheikh Hasina will hold her bilateral talks with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte at Palazzo Chigi and join the official lunch.

There are three proposals on bilateral instruments between Bangladesh and Italy. These draft agreements are on cultural exchange, political consultations and cooperation in the diplomatic field, said Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen while briefing reporters on Sunday last.

He said a joint statement will be issued after the bilateral meeting between the two Prime Ministers. "If it's not possible to sign the proposed agreements during the visit, those will be reflected on the joint statement, and the instruments will be signed afterwards," said the Foreign Minister.

On Wednesday afternoon, high officials of Italian business companies will meet her at Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel and SPA.

In the evening, she will attend dinner to be hosted by the Bangladesh Ambassador in honour of her at Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel  and  SPA.

On Thursday (February 6), Pope Francis will give audience to Sheikh Hasina in Rome before her departure for Milan.

On Friday (February 7), she will leave Milan for Dhaka by Emirates Airlines from Milan Malpensa International Airport at 1:40pm (Italy time). Bangladesh Ambassador to Italy Abdus Sobhan Sikder will see the Prime Minister off at the airport.

She will arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) on February 8 at 8am.