Bangladesh
Banglades-France Bangladesh-France bilateral relations have reached a new level: Prime Minister
Own Correspondence, Dhaka, 11 September 2023: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that friendly relations between Bangladesh and France have reached a new level. The Prime Minister said this in a joint press briefing after a bilateral meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron. "The friendly bond that my father, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman initiated in 1972 has reached a new level," she said.
Sheikh Hasina added in her statement, "Today is a historic day for our bilateral relations between France and Bangladesh which have been evolving for more than five decades."
Earlier, she held a bilateral meeting with the French President at the Prime Minister's office.
The Prime Minister said that she had fruitful discussions with President Macron on all bilateral issues today in a very cordial atmosphere. She said, France has expressed its respect and support for the sovereignty and independence of Bangladesh, especially in the context of ongoing geopolitical instability and economic uncertainty.
She said, "We both hope that this new strategic move between Bangladesh and France will play an effective role in establishing regional and global stability and peace."
She also said that in the last decade and a half, this new relationship is based on constitutional and democratic continuity, development and good governance in Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina said that the French government has expressed satisfaction with the responsible and committed activities of the Bangladesh government in protecting the basic and human rights of the people. The French government expressed its confidence and appreciation in the spectacular and continuous progress of the Bangladesh economy.
The Prime Minister said that France has reiterated its commitment to stand by the people and government of Bangladesh in the implementation of Vision-2041 by continuing the trade benefits of the European Union for Bangladesh under the GSP Plus project. "Therefore, on behalf of the people of Bangladesh, I sincerely thank the French government and the people of France under the leadership of President Machon," she said.
Sheikh Hasina said they held detailed discussions aimed at progressing bilateral relations between the two countries and "we were able to reach some consensus." As Bangladesh's trusted development partner, Sheikh Hasina said, "France has assured us of continued cooperation in infrastructure development."
She said they have shown interest in providing advanced and specialized technical assistance in building strategic security infrastructure of Bangladesh.
The Prime Minister also said that Bangladesh and France, as the leading and responsible resident power in Asia and the Pacific region, will work to ensure the geopolitical stability of the region.
