PM holds talks with Vietnam president

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina began bilateral talks with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang at her office here this morning following a tete-a-tete.

"The two leaders had a tete-a-tete and then the official talks between the two countries began . . . they are being aided by ministers and officials concerned," said a premier's office spokesman.

Sheikh Hasina earlier received the Vietnamese President at the Tiger Gate of the Prime Minister's Office at 10 am with a bouquet.

Quang arrived here on Sunday on a three-day official visit at the invitation of his Bangladesh counterpart M Abdul Hamid with an aim to promote bilateral ties in different areas including economy, trade, investment, agriculture, defence and security between the two countries.

This is a high-level visit of any Vietnamese leader in 14 years as former President Tran Duc Luong toured Bangladesh in 2004. Vietnam was among the first countries in the world to recognize Bangladesh's independence.

The Vietnamese President's official engagement began amid a meeting with Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali on Sunday evening.

Earlier today, Quang laid a wreath at the National Memorial in Savar to pay homage to 1971 Liberation War martyrs.

Later, he visited the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi and placed a wreath at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to pay respect to the memory of the greatest Bangalee of all time.

President Quang will hold a meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Abdul Hamid at Credentials Hall of Bangabhaban at about 7:30 pm today. A state dinner followed by a cultural function will be held in honour of him.

Wrapping up his official visit here, the Vietnamese President is scheduled to leave Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon.