Ambassador Pierre Mayaudon on Wednesday also called upon the international community to be “united” for Bangladesh “to teach terrorists a lesson”.
He was speaking at an event organised by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) in remembrance of all those who lost their lives in the July 1 terror attack on a Dhaka cafe.
Of the 20 hostages who were killed, nine were Italians, seven Japanese, one Indian, one Bangladeshi-American and two Bangladeshis including Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain, son of Waquer Hossain and Simeen Hossain, a committee member of the MCCI.
Following the unprecedented attack, western countries have issued travel warnings strongly discouraging their citizens to travel to Bangladesh.
The top business body FBCCI’s President Abdul Matlub Ahmad at the programme said terrorists will not succeed in Bangladesh.
“We still remain hopeful about our future,” he said, urging the countries to lift their warnings.
“So many actions have been taken. Bangladesh is now much safer now than it was before the July 1 attack,” he said.
The EU ambassador termed the victims “martyrs” and said with their blood, “they have added an additional layer to the already so rich relations that we have with Bangladesh”.
“Their sacrifice has created for us additional obligation, an obligation of unity,” he said, adding that international unity is “equally critical” as national unity is being widely discussed.
He said with the international unity, there can be cooperation in many ways including investigations in best standards.
“I think we owe it to the martyrs.”
He echoed the FBCCI president and said “our obligation is to stay engaged.”
“The terrorists and those who inspired them wanted to teach us a lesson. By staying united and engaged, we’ll teach them a lesson.”
US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat, High Commissioner of India Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Italian Chargé d'affaires Giuseppe Semenza also spoke at the programme.
Leaders of different business groups including FBCCI also spoke at the programme that began with the observance of a minute’s silence in honour of the victims.
“None of us will step back,” the Italian diplomat said. “The enemies of friendship and freedom will never win.”
“We’ll stay together with Bangladesh friends. We’ll all fight against them,” he said.
Latifur Rahman, former MCCI president and grandfather of Faraaz, said the July 1 was a “game-changer” for Bangladesh.
“Bangladesh will overcome this without a doubt. The business community will have to stand together to fight off the terrorists.” He said there is no question of giving up to terrorists.
Former foreign secretary Farook Sobhan said the July 1 is a “turning point” for Bangladesh. “We need to develop a comprehensive strategy to respond to the challenge.”