Mentioning that a meaningful cooperation is possible with Bangladesh in many sectors, Bulgarian President Rosen Plevneliev has said both his country and Bangladesh could jointly explore prospects in the fields of education, IT and other sectors.

“We could jointly explore cooperation in the fields of education, IT and other sectors,” Plevneliev told Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when she met him at the Bulgarian presidency building on Wednesday afternoon.

He also described Hasina as the great leader of the people of the world at large.

Earlier, the Bulgarian president and the PM also had an exclusive meeting.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim said the Bulgarian president going beyond the standard protocol received the prime minister on the corridor of the Presidency building.

Plevneliev was assisted by two of his advisers on foreign policy and the Bulgarian non-resident ambassador to Bangladesh during the meeting.

Praising Hasina's leadership, the Bulgarian president appreciated the rapid economic development of Bangladesh over the last few years. “Many nations could learn from Bangladesh,” he was quoted as saying.

Plevneliev said Bulgaria was also doing well in the context of Europe.

Responding to the Prime Minister's call for recruiting skilled manpower from Bangladesh, he said they usually provide “blue card” for the seasonal migrant workers for a shorter period in their country without elaborating further on the issue.

Expressing her gratitude for the support that Bulgaria had provided during the Liberation War in 1971, Hasina said, “Bulgaria has a special place in our hearts.”

She recalled that Bulgaria was the fourth country in the world and the second in Europe to recognise Bangladesh after the Liberation War.

The PM also emphasised that Bangladesh from now on could forge cooperation with Bulgaria in sectors like agriculture, ICT and tourism. Bangladesh also wants to share its experience with Bulgaria in various socio-economic fields, she added.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroze Chumki and Bangladesh Ambassador to Bulgaria M Allama Siddiki were present, among others.