ROME, Italy, Feb 5, 2020 (BSS) -Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today
inaugurated the new Chancery Building of Bangladesh Embassy in Rome.
The prime minister formally opened the five-storey chancery building
constructed on 23.9 kathas of land by unveiling its plaque in Via
Dell’Antartide area in the capital of Italy this morning.
A special munajat was offered on the occasion, seeking continued peace,
progress and development of the nation.
PM’s younger sister Sheikh Rehana and daughter Saima Wazed Hossain were
present.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Bangladesh Ambassador in Rome Abdus
Sobhan Sikdar, PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, Foreign Secretary
Masud Bin Momen, Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim and senior officials of the
embassy were also present.
Later, the prime minister went round different sections of the chancery
building and also signed the visitors’ book there.
While talking to the officials of the embassy, she said her government after assuming office took steps to build own chancery buildings and embassies in those countries where more Bangladeshis are living.
“I’ve already asked the authorities concerned to build Bangladesh’s own chancery buildings in those countries where more Bangladeshis are living,” she said.
“I feel very happy as we could open our own chancery building in Italy today where the highest number of Bangladeshis are residing after Britain in
Europe,” she said.
Through the construction of the chancery building in Rome, she said
Bangladesh got its own building and identity.
The prime minister said an embassy represents a country abroad and serves
its expatriates alongside brightening the image of the nation.
“Through it we could make much contributions to our socioeconomic
development,” she said.
Sheikh Hasina said the present world is a global village where none can
move alone.
“That’s why we’re constructing our own chancery and embassy buildings in
different countries. It’s a matter of pride for us, as our flag will fly
there and the people of those countries could know about Bangladesh more,”
she said
The prime minister recalled that the Father of the Nation had taken steps
to build Bangladesh’s own embassy buildings in different countries alongside
rebuilding the war-ravaged nation.
Sheikh Hasina said her government is following the foreign policy–
friendship to all, malice to none — enunciated by Bangabandhu.
The Bangladesh ambassador apprised the prime minister of different aspects
of the chancery building.
Earlier on her arrival at the chancery building, the prime minister first
laid a wreath at the Shaheed Minar set up on the embassy premises to pay
respects to the language movement martyrs.
She then paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his portrait
inside the chancery building.
Foreign ministry sources said Bangladesh’s own chancery and embassy
buildings will be built in 31 countries in phases by 2024.
Sheikh Hasina arrived here on Tuesday afternoon on a four-day official
visit to Italy at the invitation of Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte.