Bangladesh, France vow mutual cooperation to strengthen ties

Bangladesh and France have expressed interest in further expanding their long-standing friendship and partnership. The two countries discussed enhancing cooperation in various fields, including trade and investment, defence, aviation, education, culture, technology and human resource development.

These matters came up during a courtesy meeting between State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir and French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Sere-Charlet at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday morning, September 17. At the meeting, the ambassador congratulated the state minister on assuming his new responsibilities.

At the meeting, Humayun Kabir praised France's cooperation in Bangladesh's socio-economic development, democratic transition and institutional capacity building. He also emphasised strengthening bilateral cooperation in various areas of mutual interest. Various areas of long-term economic and technological cooperation between Bangladesh and France also came up for discussion.

The state minister called for more French investment in Bangladesh and highlighted the potential for increased cooperation in infrastructure, renewable energy, space research, technology and the pharmaceutical industry. He also spoke about the need to expand opportunities for legal and regular labour migration. He reiterated Bangladesh's zero-tolerance policy in combating irregular migration and human trafficking.

They also exchanged views on the priorities and expectations of the two countries regarding the upcoming United Nations General Assembly session. They discussed working together on the international stage on climate change, multilateral cooperation and various regional and global issues. Bangladesh and France have a long-standing foundation of cooperation on climate and global issues.

At the meeting, the state minister praised France's continued humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya sheltered in Bangladesh. Both sides expressed their readiness to work together for the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya. The ambassador also conveyed France's interest in further expanding cooperation in various areas of mutual interest.