Portuguese President Lauds Migrant Bangladeshis

Portugal's President, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, praised the Bangladeshi migrants living in Portugal for their diligence and integrity at work.

He said it is important to enhance the economic relationship to its full potential and assured that the Portuguese government will consider the future opening of a resident embassy in Dhaka, reports UNB.  

The Portuguese President made the remarks when Tarik Ahsan, the newly named Bangladeshi Ambassador to Portugal, presented his credentials to the President at Belém Palace, the official residence of the President in Lisbon, on Friday.

During his tour of duty in Portugal, he assured the Ambassador of all his cooperation and assistance.

The President, having received the Ambassador warmly, requested the Ambassador to convey his regards to President Abdul Hamid of Bangladesh and to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Referring to the recent republication of the first (18th century) Bangla-to-Portuguese dictionary, he said that the historic relation between the people of Bangladesh and Portugal remains strong even today in the cultural domain.

The President expressed his delight at the procurement of properties by Bangladesh government for its Embassy in Lisbon and said that this would contribute to widening of relation between the two countries, said the Bangladesh Embassy on Saturday.

The Ambassador was escorted by an official of the Portuguese Foreign Ministry from Bangladesh House to Belém Palace in a motorcade. 

On his arrival at front courtyard of Belém Palace, the Ambassador received a military salute from the Infantry Guard of Honour.

It was followed by playing of the National Anthems of Bangladesh and Portugal by the regimental band.

The Ambassador then ceremonially presented his letter of credence to the Portuguese President. During the presentation of the credentials, Secretary of State (State Minister) for Portuguese Community Berta Nunes, Senior Diplomatic Adviser to President Ana Martinho, Head of State Protocol (Chief of Protocol) Clara Nunes dos Santos and Heads of Civil and Military Households of the President as well as Second Secretary of Bangladesh Embassy Abdullah Al Razi were in attendance.

This was followed by an audience of the Ambassador with the President.

Ambassador Tarik Ahsan conveyed to the Portuguese President the regards and greetings of President Abdul Hamid of Bangladesh and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

The Ambassador expressed his willingness to work to further improve the relationship between Bangladesh and Portugal, building on the 500-year-old links between the two peoples.

Mentioning that Bangladesh government recently purchased property in Lisbon for its Embassy, the Ambassador requested that the Portuguese government consider opening a resident Embassy in Dhaka.