Speaker meets French envoy, stresses free trade agreement

Speaker of the National Parliament Hafiz Uddin Ahmed has met with French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Chére-Schwalle, with both sides emphasising the need for a free trade agreement between Bangladesh and the European Union.

The meeting was held at the Speaker's office in the National Parliament building on Sunday, May 17.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said Bangladesh's relationship with France is deeply historic. France demonstrated unique friendship by recognising Bangladesh quickly after the great Liberation War. Currently, France is Bangladesh's second-largest trading partner among EU member states.

Democracy was established in Bangladesh long ago, the speaker said. The people of this country have always struggled against autocracy. However, for 16 long years, Sheikh Hasina's mafia government had endangered the country's democracy. Thousands of common people repeatedly sacrificed themselves to protect democracy and their rights.

The French ambassador praised Bangladesh's latest national parliamentary election, saying it was conducted in a highly transparent, free and peaceful manner. Bangladesh's democratic journey has continued through the successful organisation of this election, he said.

Both sides also discussed people-to-people relations, strengthening inter-parliamentary relations, women's political empowerment, human rights protection, and the glorious role of Bangladeshi peacekeepers in UN peace missions.

The speaker sought France's support for the Bangladesh government's nomination of the foreign minister as president of the upcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly. The ambassador congratulated Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on his election as Speaker of the National Parliament.

Officials from the French embassy and senior officials of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat were present at the meeting.