CA seeks closer ties with Azerbaijan

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has expressed interest in strengthening relations with Azerbaijan, especially in areas like trade, investment, and scholarship programmes for students. He said, "It’s important for us that your presence in Bangladesh increases to build closer relations."

He made these comments during a meeting with Azerbaijan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov at the state guest house Jamuna in Dhaka on Tuesday (April 29). During the meeting, the Chief Adviser emphasized the importance of opening an Azerbaijani embassy in Dhaka and launching direct flights between Dhaka and Baku.

He noted that Azerbaijan seems distant to Bangladeshi students, and direct flights would help them access study opportunities in Azerbaijan’s energy sector. Similarly, Azerbaijani students could be encouraged to learn from Bangladesh’s textile industry.

Professor Yunus added that opening an embassy would also help solve visa-related problems.

The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Azerbaijan, especially in areas such as trade, investment, energy, education, technology, infrastructure, and cultural exchange.

The Chief Adviser recalled his meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev during the COP-29 summit held in Baku last November. He congratulated the Azerbaijani government for successfully hosting the event and thanked President Aliyev for sending a high-level delegation to Bangladesh, as agreed in that meeting.

He invited Azerbaijani investors to invest in Bangladesh and take advantage of its large and youthful workforce. He said, "We urge your investors to explore Bangladesh’s potential. We have around 180 million people, and half of them are young. So, there will be no shortage of workers if industries are set up here."

Deputy Foreign Minister Mammadov said Azerbaijan wants to build strategic ties with Bangladesh ahead of the 35th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in two years. He added, "We are here to deepen our relationship."

Mammadov also presented brief details of Azerbaijan’s ASAN and DOST models, which improve efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness in public service and anti-corruption efforts.

The Chief Advisor praised the 'ASAN' and 'DOST' models and expressed hope that similar platforms could be developed in Bangladesh.

Finally, the Deputy Foreign Minister handed over an invitation from the President of Azerbaijan for the Chief Adviser to attend the 17th Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Summit scheduled for July this year in Azerbaijan.