Ambassador of Argentina to Bangladesh Mr. Marcelo Cesa paid a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs Adviser Mr. Md. Touhid Hossain at his office in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today. He applauded Bangladesh for being a signatory of the ‘Instrument of Accession to the International Convention for Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (ICPPED)’, paving the way for a more accountable Government and preventing such inhuman acts by any future regime.
The Adviser recalled Bangladesh’s diplomatic presence in Buenos Aires in the 70’s and his own pleasant experience of exploring Argentina. He conveyed his appreciation for the Argentine Government for opening an Embassy in Dhaka. Acknowledging the soaring potential of engagement and probable challenges, they both discussed solutions and way forward for cooperation in a gamut of areas including trade, agriculture and agro-processing, industries, capacity building and knowledge sharing, direct shipping, connectivity, energy, sports (football in particular), education, among others. They also looked into formulating and establishing the policy and regulatory infrastructure that could facilitate the engagement in those areas.
The Ambassador specifically mentioned the collaborative research on prevention of rice plant’s pests between Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) with the counterpart Agency in Argentina. In addition, he mentioned an ongoing framework of cooperation between Bangladesh Cotton Development Board and the Argentine National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA). The Ambassador appraised the recent exploration of energy deposits in Argentina and scope of future cooperation. Regarding the recent signing on the Football cooperation between Bangladesh and Argentina, the Hon. Adviser opined that Argentina may contribute in skill development of players and coaches of Bangladesh and arranging the visit of Argentine football clubs to Bangladesh.
Adviser appreciated Argentina’s contribution towards the Rohingya issue in the international forum and requested continuous support in favour of Bangladesh’s position in rehabilitating the Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar. Both sides agreed that bilateral political consultation should be set in motion and initiated at an early date.