Dhaka, Jul 20 (UNI) The outgoing Spanish Ambassador Álvaro de Salas Giménez de Azcárate has paid his farewell courtesy call on the Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting on Sunday afternoon, Foreign Minister Dr. A.K. Abdul Momen commended Spanish government’s efforts to curb the spread of COVID19 pandemic, and also apprised the Ambassador of the government of Bangladesh’s timely and effective policies in this regard. Spanish Ambassador informed that many people died of COVID19 in Spain, and its tourism sector has been hit hard by COVID19, leaving many people jobless.
However, Spain will need seasonal workers for agriculture in the summer season. Foreign Minister requested the Ambassador to consider employing seasonal workers from Bangladesh as they have already expertise in the agriculture sector. Reiterating Bangladesh’s commitment to combat the devastating effects of climate change, Foreign Minister recalled the successful visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to attend the COP25 in Madrid in December 2019.
The Foreign Minister and Spanish Ambassador, both expressed that arrangement of VVIP level visit between Bangladesh and Spain may elevate existing bilateral relations to a newer height.

Mentioning the existing investment-friendly schemes of Bangladesh, Foreign Minister called for more investments from Spain as well as sharing expertise, especially in the energy and tourism sector with Bangladesh. Foreign Minister mentioned that Bangladesh has exported 6.5 million PPE to the USA as well as supplied medicines, such as Remdesivir, Hydroxychloroquine to some countries during COVID-19 pandemic. Spain may rely on Bangladesh if PPE and other pharmaceutical products related to prevention/treatment COVID-19 need to be imported.

Foreign Minister thanked Spanish government’s continued support for the Rohingya issue. He further appealed for imposing economic sanction on Myanmar by the international community so that Myanmar abide by its commitment for safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingya people. Finally, Spanish Ambassador expressed his gratitude for the all-out support extended during his tenure in Dhaka and Foreign Minister wished him success in his future assignments.
UNI MAZ ASN 2309