(BSS) - President Mohammed Shahabuddin today put emphasis on exploring the potentials of Bangladesh and East Timor to accelerate the development of the two countries.

He came up with the remarks as the visiting East Timor President Jose Ramos Horta made a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban prior to attending a Victory Day reception hosted by the president.

The President said, "Bangladesh has many skilled doctors, engineers, agronomists, information technology specialists and manpower with graduates and technical knowledge. . . East Timor can utilize this skilled manpower."

Expressing the hope to work together to explore the potential areas of development between Bangladesh and East Timor, he mentioned the importance of human resource development to meet the challenges of a changing world.

The President welcomed the President of East Timor with flowers when he arrived at Bangabhaban in the afternoon. President’s Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin briefed the journalists subsequently.

The Head of the State stressed on forming a joint-working group to explore new areas of cooperation for research, training and higher education.

Besides, the President emphasized on enhancing mutual cooperation between the two countries in various fields including food security, poverty alleviation, healthcare, infrastructure and human resource development, energy and climate change.

Noting that Bangladesh is one of the first countries to recognize East Timor after its independence, he said through this visit, diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and East Timor will increase further, he hoped.

The President also welcomed the initiative to open an honorary consulate of East Timor in Bangladesh.

“This will open up new horizon in diplomatic relations between the two countries and accelerate multilateral cooperation including trade and investment” the President hoped.

Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain and secretaries of the President were present during the meeting. Later, East Timor President José Ramos Horta signed the visitation book there.

Earlier, the President joined a reception program and gift distribution ceremony given by the family members of Bir Shrestha.