PM joins Munich Security Conference

The conference is the world's most important independent forum for international policymakers to exchange views on security challenges. Some 500 policymakers from across the globe, including more than 25 heads of states and governments, 47 foreign ministers, 30 defense ministers, UN Secretary General and 90 parliamentarians are participating in the ongoing conference. This year, relations between the US and Europe, and relationships among European states, Trump, Brexit, EU and NATO crises remain at the centre of discussions, officials said. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who arrived yesterday morning at the invitation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, attended the inaugural ceremony of the conference. Chairman of the conference Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger formally opened the conference followed by opening statements by the German and US defense ministers- Ursula von der Leyen and James N Mattis. German chancellor, US vice president, UN secretary general, presidents of Poland and Afghanistan, prime minister of Norway and foreign ministers of Russia, China, UK, Saudi Arabia and Iran attended the opening session. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to take part in a high level discussion today and deliver a speech highlighting security issues like climate change, water, food and migration, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The prime minister is also scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel today, where both leaders will discuss various issues relating to mutual and multilateral interests. The prime minister reached Munich International Airport around 6am on Friday by an Etihad Airways flight, where she was received by the Bangladesh Ambassador to Germany Imtiaz Ahmed. She is expected to return to Bangladesh on Sunday.