President Md. Abdul Hamid lauded the French President’s strong position against the ‘ethnic cleansing’ in Rakhine and sought his continued support for Rohingya repatriation as French resident ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marin Schuh presented his credential to the President at Bangabhaban in Dhaka on Thursday (Aug 8).
“Welcoming the ambassador, the President expressed his hope that France would mount its pressure on Myanmar to create conducive environment inside Myanmar for the safe return of the Rohingyas,” local media reported citing the President’s Press Secretary Joynal Abedin.
The head of the state, during the meeting, said bilateral relations between Bangladesh and France are very excellent and the existing ties would expand gradually.
Referring to the relations between the two countries during the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the President recalled with gratitude the contributions of France which recognized Bangladesh as one of the first European countries after Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971.
He also expressed his gratefulness to France for providing support by its leading intellectuals like Andreas Malreaux during the nine-month long Liberation War and subsequently France’s support in rebuilding the war-ravaged country.
Mentioning Bangladesh’s liberal investment policy, President Abdul Hamid sought more French investment in Bangladesh in days to come.
About Bangladesh’s ongoing development trend, he said the country in the meantime reached the status of a developing country and hoped that France would continue its support for its socio-economic development in coming days.
The French ambassador said trade and investment relations between Dhaka and Paris are increasing day by day and hoped that it would be strengthened in different fields in the coming days.
Secretaries concerned to the President and high officials of the foreign ministry were present.
Earlier, on his arrival at Bangabhaban, a smartly turned-out contingent of the horse-mounted President Guard Regiment gave the envoy a guard of honour.
