Dhaka/

France will stand by Bangladesh as a reliable development partner. Also, the country will continue to cooperate. This was said by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said this at a joint press conference of the two leaders after a bilateral and private meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Prime Minister’s Office on Monday (September 11).

Sheikh Hasina said, as a reliable development partner of Bangladesh, France has assured us of continuing its cooperation in our infrastructure development.

He also said that France has expressed interest in providing advanced and specialized technical assistance in building the strategic security infrastructure of Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister said that both of us are hopeful that this new strategic move between Bangladesh and France will play an effective role in establishing regional stability and world peace.

He said, I had a fruitful discussion with President Macron on all matters in a very cordial atmosphere.

France respects and supports Bangladesh’s policy-making sovereignty in the context of ongoing geopolitical instability and economic uncertainty. Bangladesh and France will play a leading and responsible role in ensuring geopolitical stability in Asia and the Pacific region.

Sheikh Hasina said that she reiterated her commitment to stand by the people and government of Bangladesh in the implementation of Vision 2041 by continuing the commercial benefits of Bangladesh in the European Union.

The Prime Minister said that the development of constitutional and democratic continuity and good governance in Bangladesh for the past decade and a half is the main basis of this new relationship. The Government of France has expressed its satisfaction with the responsible and committed actions of the Government in protecting the fundamental rights and human rights of the people of Bangladesh.

He said that the confidence of the French government in the incredible and continuous progress of the economy of Bangladesh was strongly quoted.

The Prime Minister expressed sincere thanks on behalf of the people of Bangladesh from all walks of life to the French government and the people of France under the leadership of President Macron.

Sheikh Hasina said that during President Macron’s visit, detailed discussions were held with the aim of advancing the bilateral relations of the two countries and in that context we were able to reach some compromises.

The Prime Minister said, “We welcome France’s leading role in combating the negative effects of climate change and we applaud France’s call for a sustainable fund under the leadership of President Macron.” Also fruitful discussions were held with France on education, culture and language exchange.

The head of government said that a joint statement on the overall issue of this visit will be published very soon and you will be informed in more detail from the responsible level of the governments of the two countries.

The prime minister said, wishing the future prosperity of friendly relations between the two countries, long live Bangladesh-France friendship!

Expressing satisfaction with the existing good relations between the two countries, Sheikh Hasina said that it is a historic day for the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and France that have been going on for more than five decades. The friendship that my father, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman initiated in 1972, has today reached a new level.

Earlier, at 10:20 am, the President of France came to the Prime Minister’s office. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave him a floral welcome at the Tiger Gate of the office. Later they held bilateral and private meetings.