JS Speaker for forming France-Bangladesh parliamentary caucus

Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikrom, today said France has remained a proven friend of Bangladesh since the War of Liberation and expressed hope that the formation of a France-Bangladesh Parliamentary Caucus would further strengthen bilateral relations.

He made the remarks when a French parliamentary delegation paid a courtesy call on him at his office here today(15 September).

The speaker said France is Bangladesh's second-largest trading destination in Europe, stressing the importance of further strengthening parliamentary ties between the two countries, said a press release of parliament secretariat here.

He recalled France's support for Bangladesh during the War of Liberation in 1971 and praised the significant role played by French citizen André Malraux in support of Bangladesh's Liberation War, paying tribute to his memory.

Hafiz Uddin also said the people of Bangladesh love democracy and have never accepted authoritarian rule, adding that they have continued to uphold their respect for democratic values.

During the meeting, the French parliamentary delegation laid emphasis on forming a France-Bangladesh parliamentary committee and expanding parliamentary diplomacy through friendship groups.

The delegation also stressed the need to increase French economic investment in Bangladesh, particularly in exploration and drilling for oil and gas in the country's coastal areas.

The French parliamentary delegation, on behalf of the French Senate, invited the Speaker and the Bangladesh parliamentary delegation to visit France.

Members of the French parliamentary delegation, officials of the French Embassy in Dhaka and relevant officials of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat were present at the meeting.