The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Thimphu

Bangladesh will prominently raise the issue of sufferings of South Asian countries including Bangladesh caused by global warming in the upcoming Copenhagen Climate Change Meet.

"Bangladesh and many other South Asian countries are badly affected due to the climate change and I will raise the issue in next month's Copenhagen meet," said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina here on Sunday.

The Bangladesh Premier said this when she had an audience with former King of Bhutan Jigme Singye Wangchuk at his palace in the capital this morning on the third day of her four-day official visit to the Himalayan state of Bhutan.

Sheikh Hasina stressed that both the neighbours have to work together to face the challenges of climate change as they are becoming the most vulnerable countries to the calamity, said Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Nazrul Islam briefing newsmen after the meeting.

During the meeting, they discussed wide ranging issues including expansion of trade and business between the two countries and the negative impact of the climate change for which the developing countries are badly affected.

Expressing her sincere thanks to the former Bhutanese king for transforming monarchy into democracy in running the country, Sheikh Hasina said the multiparty democracy would get an institutional shape in the country following the King's decision.

She also thanked the Kand people of Bhutan for according her warm royal reception and for their hospitality during her stay in the country.

Wangchuk recalled her visit to Bangladesh in 1972 and said he had a very close relationship with Bangabandhu and his family and that he wants to maintain the same relationship in future.

The former Bhutanese King lauded the able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and expressed the hope that the progress of the country would be further expedited under her prudent leadership.

The former Bhutanese King said he did not go for democracy all of a sudden. It has taken at least 20 years, he added.

Earlier on her arrival at the palace, the Prime Minister was given a warm reception at the gate.

Among others, Industries Minister Dilip Barua, Commerce Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan, Adviser to the Prime Minister H T Imam and Ambassador M Ziauddin were present.

Later, Sheikh Hasina visited Druk Wangyel temple cum museum at Dochula, 30 KM away from the capital Thimphu. The temple, one of the tourist attractions in the country, was built on top of the Himalayas mountain range that opened in 2003 under the initiatives of Bhutanese Queen mother.

The temple from where the Himalaya's glaciers are viewed is situated 10,000 feet above the sea level.

On her arrival there, the Bangladesh Premier was received by Bhutanese Foreign Secretary Daw Penjo and President for Center for Bhutan Studies Daso Karma Ura and other senior officials of the Bhutanese government.

Sheikh Hasina was escorted by the Bhutanese designated officials to the temple, the Buddhist sacred place and is very crucial for the Bhutanese monarch.

She went round the temple, placed a scarf on a huge statue of Buddha and lit a candle there.