Dhaka, March 25 -- Congratulating Bangladeshi friends on Independence Day, Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Alexander Grigoryevich Khozin has expressed optimism that cooperation with the new government of Bangladesh will yield the best results for the benefit of the two countries and people.

"We appreciate that, more than 50 years later, Bangladeshis remember the contribution of the Soviet Union to their country's development with warmth and gratitude. Today, Russia is open to joint projects and mutually beneficial bilateral initiatives," said the Russian Ambassador in a congratulatory message marking Bangladesh's Independence Day that falls on March 26.

The erstwhile Soviet Union was one of the first to recognise Bangladesh, on January...