Staff Correspondent

President Mohammed Shahabuddin today called upon the Russian Federation to recruit more manpower from Bangladesh and make visa procedures easier for Bangladeshi citizens.

The President sought the cooperation of the Russian government as its ambassador-designate to Bangladesh, Alexander G. Khozin, presented his credentials to him at Bangabhaban here this afternoon.

He further urged the Russian government to allow more Bangladeshi students to enroll in Russian institutions of higher education, especially in the medical sector.

Welcoming the new ambassador, the president said Bangladesh always maintains very excellent relations with Russia, and the tie is gradually expanding in various fields, particularly in trade and investment, President's Press Secretary M Sarwar Alam told BSS after the meeting.

Highly appreciating Russia for supplying wheat and fertilizers to Bangladesh, he put emphasis on a joint collaboration to address the challenges of food security in a concerted manner.

About 1.1 million forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals, who took shelter in Bangladesh, President Shahabuddin sought strong support from the Russian Federation to convince Myanmar authorities to repatriate the Rohingyas to their Rakhine State homeland urgently.

The President conveyed best wishes to the Russian President for his continued support for the development of Bangladesh.

The support would continue to grow in a spirit of deeply rooted historical friendship, mutual respect, and trust with commonality of interests, as well as the continued cooperation between Bangladesh and the Russian Federation, he hoped.

The head of the state thanked the Russian government for its technical and financial support in various projects, including the establishment of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh.

He also put emphasis on the timely completion of this project, which is essential for effective cost control, budget management, and electricity supply as well.

The mutual cooperation, trade, and investment between the two countries would further increase during his (envoy) assignment in Dhaka, the President expressed hope.

The ambassador sought the president's all-out cooperation to discharge his duties here.

Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin, Military Secretary Major General Mohammad Adil Chowdhury, Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam, and Minister-Counsellor of the Russian Embassy in Bangladesh Ekaterina Semenova, among others, were present.

Earlier, on his arrival at Bangabhaban, a smartly turned-out contingent of the horse-mounted President Guard Regiment (PGR) gave the envoy ceremonial 'guards of honour.'