'Bangladesh, Canada have long-standing, multifaceted relationship'

Bangladesh and Canada have long-standing and multifaceted relationship, Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls said.

She said this on Monday after a meeting with Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud.

Lilly Nicholls spoke about the special relationship between the two countries and ways to further strengthen the long-standing relations.

"We have a long-standing and multifaceted relationship, which has many dimensions," said the high commissioner after her meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Both sides spoke about the strong people-people links and growing trade and commercial relations.

"And we also, of course, spoke about the evolving development partnership and how each of these offers many opportunities for joint collaboration between our two countries," said the envoy.

The high commissioner said they also spoke about the importance of freedom of expression, the tremendous value of civil society, and a vibrant civil society.

"We spoke about the importance of alternative voices and perspectives," she said.

The high commissioner also took the opportunity to speak with the foreign minister to thank Bangladesh for hosting the Rohingya.

"And it was my opportunity also to reiterate Canada's continued support for the Rohingya response," she said.