Speaker, French envoy discuss bilateral ties, trade cooperation

French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Sere-Charlet today (17 May) paid a courtesy call on Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, at his office at the National Parliament.

During the meeting, the speaker said the relations between Bangladesh and France are historic, recalling that France recognised Bangladesh soon after the Liberation War, demonstrating its friendship with the country.

He said France is the second-largest trading partner of Bangladesh among the European Union member states, said a press release of parliament secretariat.

The speaker said democracy had been established in Bangladesh long ago and the people of the country had always struggled against authoritarianism.

He alleged that the government led by Mafia Sheikh Hasina had endangered democracy in the country for the past 16 years and said thousands of people had repeatedly sacrificed themselves for the protection of democracy.

The French envoy said the latest national parliamentary election in Bangladesh was held in a very transparent, free and peaceful manner, continuing the country's democratic progress.

During the meeting, both sides stressed the importance of a free trade agreement with the European Union. They also exchanged views on strengthening people-to-people contacts, enhancing inter-parliamentary relations, women's political empowerment, human rights and the role of Bangladeshi peacekeepers deployed in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

The speaker sought the support of the French government for the nomination of Bangladesh's foreign minister to the post of president of the upcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The ambassador also congratulated Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, on being elected speaker of the National Parliament.

Members of the French embassy delegation and senior officials of the Bangladesh parliament secretariat were present at the meeting.