<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud has said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina remains dedicated to strengthening their robust trade, investment, aviation, climate, defence, security, and migration cooperation with the UK and taking it to the next level in her current term.</b></span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hasan thanked UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for emphasizing his commitment to enhancing the economic and security partnership between Bangladesh and the UK in his congratulatory letter to Prime Minister Hasina after the national election on January 7 this year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The foreign minister also called upon the UK government to collaborate with Bangladesh to establish a "peaceful and conflict-free" world and to put an end to the ongoing wars in Gaza and Ukraine, according to a message received from London.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">During his speech as the guest of honour at a high-profile diplomatic reception hosted by Bangladesh High Commission, London to celebrate the 54th Independence and National Day of Bangladesh, the foreign minister emphasised the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire in conflict zones worldwide, including Gaza and Ukraine.</div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He stressed that stopping the killing of innocent people is crucial to restoring normalcy and establishing peace.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Speaker of the UK’s Parliament Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP was the chief guest at the event where Leader of the House of Commons Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt MP, UK FCDO Minister for Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and United Nations Lord Tariq Ahmad, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed MP, and Chairman of All-party Parliamentary Group on Bangladesh Rushanara Ali MP spoke as special guests. ‍Source: UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd/fas</div>