German Chancellor Angela Merkel has highly appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's role in settling the maritime boundary disputes with India and Myanmar, terming the initiative as a model that could be followed by other nations.

Angela Merkel came up with the remarks during a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the sidelines of the 10th ASEM Summit at Milan Congress on Thursday, according to a message received in Dhaka.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Foreign Secretary Md Shahidul Haque said the German Chancellor expressed her willingness to talk to Sheikh Hasina at the Milan Congress prior to attending the opening ceremony of the 10th ASEM Summit.

Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Bijan Lal Dev was also present at the briefing.

Angela Merkel lauded the dynamic leadership of Sheikh Hasina in achieving the socioeconomic progress of Bangladesh.

In response, the Bangladesh Prime Minister described various measures undertaken by her government for the welfare of garment workers as well as their workplace safety and security.

In this regard, Hasina mentioned that her government has raised the wages of RMG workers by 226 percent since 2009.

Angela Merkel expressed her satisfaction over the government steps and the prevailing political stability in Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister also exchanged greetings with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Brunei Sultan Bolkiah Hassanal at the venue.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmod Ali, PM’s Principal Secretary Abdus Sobhan Sikder and Ambassador of Bangladesh to Italy M Shahadat Hossain were present.