PM's adviser, European diplomats discuss investment, aviation ties
Defence cooperation and wider bilateral issues also discussed.
Highlights:
- Humayun Kabir meets five European ambassadors and senior diplomats
- Talks centre on trade, investment, defence and civil aviation
- European envoys reaffirm commitment to stronger ties with Bangladesh
- Bida Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury attends the meeting
- Meeting held at the Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir met five European ambassadors and senior diplomats today (16 July) to discuss stronger cooperation in trade, investment, civil aviation and other sectors.
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The meeting, held at the Prime Minister's Office in Tejgaon, was attended by French Ambassador Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, Spanish Ambassador Gabriel Sistiaga, British High Commissioner Sarah Cooke, EU Chargé d'Affaires Baiba Zarina and German Chargé d'Affaires Anja Karst, according to a press release.
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury also joined the discussions.
The participants discussed Bangladesh's longstanding relations with European countries, their growing economic partnership and other issues of mutual interest, the release said.
They stressed the need to strengthen cooperation in trade and investment, defence, civil aviation and other areas, it added.
Humayun expressed hope that Bangladesh's relations with European countries would continue to deepen based on mutual trust and shared interests. The diplomats reaffirmed their commitment to expanding their countries' partnerships with Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said Bangladesh would procure both Boeing and Airbus aircraft for Biman Bangladesh Airlines as part of plans to develop a sustainable mixed fleet while safeguarding national interests.
"Our country needs both Boeing and Airbus. We will purchase both," she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Asked whether Bangladesh's planned purchase of Boeing aircraft from the United States contradicted its interest in acquiring Airbus aircraft from France, or whether the Boeing deal was being made under external pressure, Shama rejected the suggestion.
Her remarks came a day after the government formally expressed interest in procuring Airbus aircraft as part of Biman's long-term fleet expansion plan.
The issue was discussed at a courtesy meeting on Wednesday between Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat, and ambassadors and senior diplomats representing France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany and the European Union at the civil aviation ministry.
The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and the European Union and its member states, with particular emphasis on the development of Bangladesh's civil aviation sector.
During the discussions, the minister and the state minister said the government is interested in acquiring Airbus aircraft for the national carrier in order to build a balanced and sustainable fleet while safeguarding the country's national interests.
The European representatives assured Bangladesh of cooperation over the proposed acquisition.
