United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Wednesday urged the media not to give undue importance to reports regarding Prime Minister’s foreign visits until an official announcement is made by the government. "Invitations have come from many countries. It is the Prime Minister's decision as to how, when and to which country he will make a visit," she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs amid media reports that claimed the Prime Minister will visit Malaysia on June 21-22 before he travels to China later this month. The State Minister said news reports published by different media outlets regarding the Prime Minister's possible visits should not be treated as confirmed information in the absence of an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Prime Minister's Office. "Newspapers publish their own reports, and you do the same. But until there is an official statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Prime Minister's Office regarding the visit of the Prime Minister, I do not think such reports should be taken seriously, nor should I comment on them," she said. The State Minister said details of any foreign visit by the Prime Minister would be formally announced by the Prime Minister's press wing once the visit is finalised. She also emphasised the importance of maintaining strong relations with all countries and said the Prime Minister would take the appropriate decision regarding future visits.