The foreign ministers of France and Germany will come to Bangladesh together in September on a visit to boost relations.
Published : 27 Jun 2015, 04:11 PM
French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius confirmed this visit during his bilateral meeting with Bangladesh counterpart Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali.
Ali came back to Dhaka on Thursday ending his four-day first official visit to Paris.
The foreign ministry said following his request, his French counterpart also agreed to bring a high-level business delegation with him including a delegation of MEDEF, French leading chamber of commerce and industries.
He said together with his German counterpart, he would also inaugurate a Franco-German embassy building in Dhaka.
Fabius also appreciated Bangladesh’s successes in poverty alleviation, women education and empowerment, and reducing child and maternal mortality under this government.
The foreign ministry said their meeting also focused on development of bilateral relations, especially the development of economic cooperation.
Expansion of bilateral trade and increasing French investment to Bangladesh and expediting cultural exchange programmes between the countries were also discussed.
They also discussed various bilateral and international issues including their commitment to combat climate disruption, which particularly affects Bangladesh.
Fabius said France would consider Bangladesh’s concern in the upcoming climate change conference in Paris in December, since Bangladesh was among the most climate change vulnerable countries in the world.
He also expressed desire to work with Bangladesh to counter terrorism and militancy for ensuring a peaceful world.
Ali informed him about Bangladesh's active role in increasing connectivity and regional cooperation through different initiatives like Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal Motor Vehicle Agreement (BBIN-MVA), the BCIM economic corridor, and the BIMSTEC.
In reply, Fabius lauded Bangladesh's initiatives for increasing regional cooperation as well as peace in the region.
He also offered all-out cooperation to Bangladesh in this regard.
The foreign minister during his Paris visit also visited Bangla section of INALCO, a language and cultural research institute in Paris. He presented them some Bangla books.
He also attended the award giving ceremony ‘Chevalier des arts et des letters’ (Knight in the order of arts and literature) where eminent Bangladeshi artist Shahabuddin Ahmad was honoured by the France government.
Ali also joined a reception hosted by expatriate Bangladeshis and exchanged views with the Bangladeshi community, according to the foreign ministry.