Settle problems through talks

Stressing the importance of Muslim countries' unity, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the Muslim countries should solve their problems, if any, through talks.

“The Muslim Ummah should remain together ... if there's any problem among themselves, that can be solved through discussions,” she said.

Hasina made the comment when newly appointed Iranian Ambassador Mohammad Reza Nafar met her at her office.

PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.

He said the PM mentioned that it is the people who suffer if there is any conflict among Muslim countries.

Hasina said the government has reduced the poverty level in Bangladesh to 21 percent and has a target to reduce it by 4-5 percent further in near future.

She said the development policy of her government is centred on the   rural level.

Talking about the country's existing religious harmony, Hasina said Bangladesh has this harmony as every person here participate in all religious festivals.

Terming Iranian people courageous, she highly appreciated their economic progress.

Welcoming the new Iranian ambassador to Bangladesh, she assured him of her all-out cooperation during his tenure here.

Hasina also conveyed her regards to the Iranian president through the envoy and recalled her visits to Iran in 1997 and 2012.

Ambassador Nafar highly greeted the landslide victory of Awami League in the recent national election and described Hasina as a wise and prudent prime minister of Bangladesh. The people of Iran are very much fond of her, he added.

He mentioned that the religious and cultural bonds between Bangladesh and Iran are very excellent and hoped to move that forward further during his tenure in Bangladesh. “Our cooperation at the regional and international level is very good; cultural relation is excellent, political relation is at the good level.”

But he emphasised on enhancing the volume of bilateral trade, which is $135 million. “It's not satisfactory at the moment.”

The diplomat also mentioned that Iran is moving forward despite sanctions by some western countries.

Nafar added that the Iranian government is working to reduce tensions in the region. “We aren't a war-monger country ... we would like to have the best of relations with the countries in the Gulf.”

PM's Principal Secretary Nojibur Rahman and PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan were also present.