French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Sere-Charlet paid a courtesy call on Jatiya Sangsad Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, at his office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Sunday.
During the meeting, the Speaker described Bangladesh–France relations as historic, recalling that France recognised Bangladesh soon after the Liberation War, signalling its friendship with the country.
He noted that France is the second-largest trading partner of Bangladesh among European Union member states, according to a press release from the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat.
Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said democracy had long been established in Bangladesh and that the people had consistently struggled against authoritarianism. He alleged that the government led by Sheikh Hasina had undermined democratic principles over the past 16 years, adding that thousands of citizens had repeatedly sacrificed themselves to protect democracy.
The French envoy said the latest Jatiya Sangsad election was conducted in a free, transparent and peaceful manner, reflecting Bangladesh’s continuing democratic progress.
Both sides stressed the importance of a free trade agreement with the European Union and exchanged views on strengthening people-to-people contacts, enhancing inter-parliamentary relations, women’s political empowerment, human rights, and the role of Bangladeshi peacekeepers deployed in United Nations missions.
The Speaker also sought French support for the nomination of Bangladesh’s foreign minister as president of the upcoming session of the United Nations General Assembly.
Ambassador Sere-Charlet congratulated Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on his election as Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad.
Members of the French Embassy delegation and senior officials from the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat were present at the meeting.
