PM flies to Sofia today

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to leave the UK today for Bulgaria on a three-day official visit to attend the Global Women Leaders Forum.

Apart from joining the forum, the PM will have official talks with her Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borissov, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said.

A British Airways flight (BA 0890) carrying the PM and her entourage is scheduled to depart Heathrow International Airport for the Bulgarian capital Sofia at 8:20am (London time).

The flight is scheduled to touch down at Sofia International Airport at 1:15pm (Bulgarian time).

Minister of Culture of Bulgaria Vezhdi Rashidov and Bangladesh Ambassador in Sofia Allama Siddiki will receive Hasina at the airport.

From the airport, the premier will go to Hotel Marinela Sofia where she will be staying during her visit to Bulgaria.

Hasina will attend the opening ceremony of the Global Women Leaders Forum at the National Art Gallery, Sofia this afternoon and deliver the keynote speech as the chief guest.

During the visit, she will call on Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev at the presidential palace.

Foreign ministry sources said the two premiers will witness the signing of some agreements and deliver a joint press statement after holding official talks on Friday.

The PM, who reached London on Sunday en route to Bulgaria, is scheduled to return home at 6:30am (BST) on Saturday.