DHAKA, 16 November 2021, (TON): A Foreign Ministry press release said “the observation was made as Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen held a bilateral meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart Prof Gamini Lakshman Peiris at state guest house Padma in the capital.”

Dhaka and Colombo are eyeing to strengthen air and maritime connectivity for the greater benefit of the people of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

A Foreign Ministry press release said “the observation was made as Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen held a bilateral meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart Prof Gamini Lakshman Peiris at state guest house Padma in the capital.”

The Sri Lankan foreign minister is visiting Dhaka to attend the 21st meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)'s Council of Ministers (COM).

During the meeting, the two ministers also emphasized expeditious conclusion of preferential trade agreement (PTA) and enhancement of bilateral trade.

They also agreed to explore possible collaboration between Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University of Bangladesh and National Institute of Oceanographic Marine Sciences of Sri Lanka.

Both the ministers noted the ongoing cooperation under the IORA, maritime cooperation, maritime security, blue economy, climate change and prevention of over-exploitation of marine resources.