UK PM visiting Canada, will meet CA if schedule matches: CA press secy

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam yesterday said they were still working to finalise a meeting between Chief Adviser  Muhammad Yunus and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as the UK PM is currently visiting Canada.

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"What we came to know is that he is visiting Canada. A British parliamentarian came today and told us that Keir Starmer is in Canada," Alam told reporters, reports UNB.

He said the meeting will be held if the schedule is matched. "It's being worked out."

The Times has reported that the British prime minister will meet Mark Carney, his Canadian counterpart, on 14 June for discussions concerning security and economic co-operation.

Meanwhile, yesterday the British PM visited the families of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Aguiar who were killed in the Southport knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in July, the UK government reported. 

Today, he is set to attend a programme "Prime Minister's Questions", in the House of Commons to Keir Starmer, the prime minister, BBC UK reports. 

Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Minister (Press) at Bangladesh High Commission in London Akbar Hossain were also present at the media briefing.

Responding to a question on reported letter by Tulip Siddiq, the Press Secretary said they have received the letter.

He said it is a legal issue and it will be addressed legally.

Earlier, a group of UK parliamentarians under the banner of All Party Parliamentary Group called on Chief Adviser Yunus at his hotel on Tuesday and discussed issues of mutual interests.

Chief Adviser's Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Md Nazrul Islam and Bangladesh Ambassador to the UK Abida Islam, among others, were present.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Adviser held separate meetings with Wouter van Wersch, Executive Vice President of Airbus, and Charles Wyley, Executive Vice President of Menzies Aviation, and discussed issues of mutual interest.

The meetings were held at his Yunus' hotel in London separately, Azad told UNB.

The Commonwealth Secretary General Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey also met Yunus separately.

The Chief Adviser arrived here on Tuesday, beginning his four-day official visit to renew their bilateral ties with the United Kingdom, with an increased focus on economic cooperation, trade and investment.

A flight of Emirates Airlines carrying the Chief Adviser and his small entourage arrived at Heathrow Airport, London at 7:05am (London time), Azad told UNB.

High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the United Kingdom Abida Islam received the Chief Adviser.

"This is a very important visit," said acting Foreign Secretary Ruhul Alam Siddique, noting that Yunus will meet His Majesty King Charles III and hold bilateral talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, alongside other high-level engagements.

"The relationship between Bangladesh and the UK is very deep and diverse," he added, emphasising that the visit will play a significant role in strengthening bilateral relations.

During the visit, King Charles III will formally confer the prestigious 'Harmony Award 2025' on Professor Yunus, recognising his lifelong efforts to promote peace, sustainability and harmony between people and the environment.

The award ceremony will take place at St James's Palace in London on 12 June. Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was the recipient in 2024.