The Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Manlio Di Stefano, received at the Farnesina the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, Abdul Momen.
The Undersecretary firstly recognised the positive contribution made to Italy’s economy and society by the Bangladeshi diaspora (amounting to 140,000 people, the largest community in continental Europe). Di Stefano then recalled the presence of several Italian companies in the Country, especially in the textile sector, and expressed the hope that the two Countries’ bilateral economic and commercial relations might intensify. He then mentioned the participation of Italian companies in the procurement process in the defence sector, hoping for the successful adjudication of important contracts to our companies in the Country.
In respect of the crisis of the Rohingya refugees fleeing from Rakhine, Di Stefano praised the humanitarian response of the Bangladeshi Government. The two officials agreed on the need for a political solution to the ongoing crisis and to attribute responsibilities for the current tragedy.
