Dzhunkovskiy congratulated Hasina on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin on her playing a significant role in restoring democracy and human rights and in poverty eradication, party sources said.

Briefing newsmen, Awami League Environment Affairs Secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud said they discussed various issues of bilateral interest of the two countries, including upcoming election, combating terrorism, international assistance, democracy, human rights and poverty.

Dzhunkovskiy at the meeting offered Russian assistance in the education sector of Bangladesh.

Hasina, also AL president, recalled that Russia had played "a great role in rebuilding the war-ravaged Bangladesh after the independence war."

She requested Russia, the current chair of Group-8, to discuss poverty eradication with due importance at the upcoming G-8 summit.

Referring to the recent rise of militancy in Bangladesh, Hasina said militancy is not only a problem for Bangladesh, Russia is also affected. "It's now become a worldwide problem, as the militants have no country or religion," she said.

The Leader of the Opposition suggested that militancy should be combated with coordinated efforts of all.

During the meeting, both the opposition leader and the envoy emphasised that a free and fair election in Bangladesh is needed for the reflection of people's opinion.