King’s visit a testament of close ties of friendship between Bangladesh, Bhutan

DE Online Desk
Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will attend the celebration of Independence and National Day of Bangladesh on March 26 as the special guest.
He will pay tribute to the memory of the sacrifices of the heroic freedom fighters of Bangladesh at the National Martyrs’ Memorial at Savar, which will include the laying of a wreath, signing the visitors’ book and planting of a sapling.
Queen of Bhutan Jetsun Pema Wangchuck will also attend accompanying the King.
The King of Bhutan is paying a state visit to Bangladesh from March 25 to 28 at the invitation of President Mohammed Shahabuddin.
The visit of the King to Bangladesh is a testament of the close ties of friendship and goodwill that so happily exist between the two countries, said a joint statement issued on Monday, report agencies.
The state visit of the King and Queen to Bangladesh has further strengthened the traditional ties of friendship, cooperation and goodwill between the two countries, it said.
The King and Queen will meet with the President of Bangladesh. The President will host a banquet on Tuesday in honour of the King. The King and Queen met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday.
The following Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed during the visit- MoU between Bangladesh and Bhutan for Cooperation on establishment of a Burn and Plastic Surgery Unit in Thimphu and Health Cooperation; MoU between Bangladesh and Bhutan for Cooperation on establishing Bhutanese Special Economic Zone in Kurigram, Bangladesh by Bhutan and MoU between Directorate of National Consumers Right Protection of Bangladesh and the Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority of Bhutan.
The agreement between Bangladesh and Bhutan onocultural cooperation was renewed.
Both sides expressed satisfaction that annual intake of Bhutanese students for admission in MBBS in public medical colleges of Bangladesh has been increasing gradually. To further consolidate the existing momentum of cooperation, Bangladesh offered to increase the number of annual MBBS seats for Bhutanese students from 22 (twenty-two) to 30 (thirty).
During the official meeting, the two sides expressed happiness on the current state of relation between Bangladesh and Bhutan, which is a very special one based on common history, geographical proximity, and the shared aspiration of the people for prosperity and development. King Jigme expressed his deep appreciation for the cordial welcome and warm hospitality extended to Him and the members of His delegation during their stay in Bangladesh.