I understand, says Momen on Lavrov's cancelled Dhaka visit

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen today said the increased activities of Russia due to the situation in Ukraine may be a reason behind Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's, regarding his planned visit to Bangladesh.

"I can understand it. They are very busy. Their activities due to the war have increased to a large extent. Maybe he is unable to come for that reason," Momen told reporters after attending a programme in a Dhaka hotel.

The foreign minister said the Russian side in a diplomatic communication with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed that the Russian foreign minister is unable to come.

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Lavrov to talk to Momen over phone tomorrow

"He (Lavrov) wants to speak with me over the phone. And I agreed," Momen said, adding that the telephone conversation will be done at a mutually convenient time.

Earlier today, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam told UNB that the two foreign ministers are likely to have a telephone conversation either tomorrow or the day after.

Russian Ambassador in Dhaka Alexander Mantytskiy instead of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will represent his country at the IORA meeting, scheduled for November 24.

The Russian foreign minister was scheduled to visit Bangladesh on November 23, mainly to attend the 22nd IORA Council of Ministers meeting, to be held in Dhaka on November 24.

Russia is a dialogue partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) while Bangladesh is the current chair of IORA.

Momen met his Russian counterpart last month in Astana, Kazakhstan on the sidelines of the CICA Summit.

The IORA Council of Ministers meeting, to be hosted by Bangladesh, will be preceded by the 24th meeting of the Committee of Senior Officials, to be held on November 22-23.

The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) is an inter-governmental organisation aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and sustainable development within the Indian Ocean region through its 23 member states and 10 dialogue partners.