The visiting UK Home Minister Ms. Jacqui Smith made a courtesy call on Foreign Adviser Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury at State Guesthouse Padma on Wednesday, reports agencyu.

During the meeting, they discussed issues of bilateral relations and co-operation in various fields, including curbing terrorism.

“The relationship between Bangladesh and the United Kingdom are rooted in history, and those shared values have been translated into an active ‘strategic partnership’ in contemporary times,” the foreign adviser told newsmen after the meeting.

“We also discussed key current issues including climate change and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, two areas in which our two countries are working closely together,” he added. The adviser during the meeting also appreciated British support to education and post-Sidr rehabilitation.

“The recent talks between the Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown at No. 10 Downing Street took our relations to new heights,” Dr. Iftekhar Chowdhury also added. Ms. Smith said she had visited Sylhet in the morning where she met a large number of Bangladeshi origin British citizens.

She said people-to-people contact is necessary to improve the existing bilateral relations. She said they also discussed issues of counter-terrorism and how it could be addressed.

She was happy to note that elections would take place in Bangladesh. Ms. Jacqui Smith became the first female Home Secretary (Minister) of Britain in June 2007. She became minister of state for schools after the 2005 general elections. She joined the cabinet as chief whip in May 2006.

Following the talks, the foreign adviser hosted a luncheon at the guesthouse in honour of the British home ministers, which was attended by many distinguished guests.

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