Shawdesh Desk:

Argentina’s foreign minister Santiago Cafiero and Bangladesh’s state minister for foreign affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Monday inaugurated the new embassy of the South American country in Banani area of Bangladesh capital Dhaka.

‘It’s a momentous and joyous moment. It’s not just a diplomatic gesture. It’s an emotional moment,’ said Shahriar Alam.

The Argentine foreign minister described the moment as a ‘stepping stone to make better and stronger relations between the two countries.’

Diplomats stationed in Dhaka also joined the function.

Argentina reopened its embassy here after 45 years.

The Argentine embassy in Dhaka was closed in 1978 by the military junta that ruled the Latin American country at the time.

Diplomatic operations, such as visas in order to travel, have since been handled by the embassy in neighbouring India.

Argentina says it is convenient to reopen the embassy in accordance with foreign policy guidelines based on ‘political, strategic and commercial’ reasons.

The Argentine minister arrived in Dhaka this morning to inaugurate the new Embassy and deepen trade and cultural ties.

Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen will have a bilateral meeting with his Argentine counterpart at state guesthouse Jamuna this evening to discuss trade and investment issues. The meeting is likely to begin at 6pm.

Momen will also host a dinner in honour of the Argentine foreign minister after the bilateral talks.

Apart from reopening the Argentine embassy in Dhaka, Cafiero is likely to meet prime minister Sheikh Hasina, and commerce minister Tipu Munshi.

‘There is also the possibility of signing visa exemption agreements on diplomatic and official passports, MoUs on cooperation in agriculture and diplomatic training academies of the two countries,’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Seheli Sabrin told reporters recently.

The two countries are working on a memorandum of understanding on football related matters as well, she said.

Apart from the import of soybean oil and wheat from Argentina, the two sides are likely to discuss Bangladesh’s inclusion in South America’s powerful economic alliance Mercosur.

Mercosur, or the Southern Common Market, is an economic and political bloc originally comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

The Argentine visiting team is likely to enjoy a friendly match between two teams comprising Bangladesh’s junior footballers as well as meeting with football officials.