ROME, Italy, -Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated the new Chancery Building of Bangladesh Embassy in Rome. The prime minister formally opened the five-storey chancery building constructed on 23.9 kathas of land by unveiling its plaque in Via Dell’Antartide area in the capital of Italy this morning.
A special munajat was offered on the occasion, seeking continued peace, progress and development of the nation. PM’s younger sister Sheikh Rehana and daughter Saima Wazed Hossain were present.
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Bangladesh Ambassador in Rome Abdus Sobhan Sikdar, PM’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim and senior officials of the embassy were also present.
Later, the prime minister went round different sections of the chancery building and also signed the visitors’ book there. While talking to the officials of the embassy, she said her government after assuming office took steps to build own chancery buildings and embassies in those countries where more Bangladeshis are living.
“I’ve already asked the authorities concerned to build Bangladesh’s own chancery buildings in those countries where more Bangladeshis are living,” she said.
“I feel very happy as we could open our own chancery building in Italy today where the highest number of Bangladeshis are residing after Britain in
Europe,” she said.
Through the construction of the chancery building in Rome, she said Bangladesh got its own building and identity. The prime minister said an embassy represents a country abroad and serves its expatriates alongside brightening the image of the nation.
“Through it we could make much contributions to our socioeconomic development,” she said. Sheikh Hasina said the present world is a global village where none can move alone.
“That’s why we’re constructing our own chancery and embassy buildings in different countries. It’s a matter of pride for us, as our flag will fly
there and the people of those countries could know about Bangladesh more,” she said
The prime minister recalled that the Father of the Nation had taken steps to build Bangladesh’s own embassy buildings in different countries alongside rebuilding the war-ravaged nation.
Sheikh Hasina said her government is following the foreign policy– friendship to all, malice to none — enunciated by Bangabandhu.
The Bangladesh ambassador apprised the prime minister of different aspects of the chancery building. Earlier on her arrival at the chancery building, the prime minister first laid a wreath at the Shaheed Minar set up on the embassy premises to pay respects to the language movement martyrs.
She then paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing a wreath at his portrait inside the chancery building.
Foreign ministry sources said Bangladesh’s own chancery and embassy buildings will be built in 31 countries in phases by 2024. Sheikh Hasina arrived here on Tuesday afternoon on a four-day official visit to Italy at the invitation of Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte.
