Paris to continue support Dhaka at high level dialogues: senator

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DHAKA, March 20, 2021 (BSS) – French Senator and President of the Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group for South East Asia Madame Jacqueline Deromedi today assured Bangladesh of continuing its support at high level dialogues.

“France is a historical friend of Bangladesh. It has always supported Bangladesh with high level of dialogues and tight cooperation,” she said in a video message.

The video message was played on the fourth day of the 10-day special programme at the national parade ground here marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of the country’s independence.

Deromedi said: “At the parliamentary level, we intend to develop our relationship. I wish this bilateral relationship continues in the future for the interest of the both countries.” She said this is an opportunity to say that Bangladesh can rely on the support of France. “Bangladesh Parliament can rely on the France Senate, specially our Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group for South East Asia,” she added.

Remembering that three million people were killed during the 1971 Liberation War, the French senator paid homage to those who sacrificed their lives in achieving the country’s independence in 1971.

“Two years ago, I was in Dhaka along with three of my colleagues, French senators and members of our inter-parliamentary group. We met the Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament and the foreign minister, who underlined the vitality of democracy in Bangladesh in general elections,” she said.

Deromedi said Bangladesh is continuing on development trajectory with the ambitious goal to improve social working condition and workers’ rights. “As we have seen during our visit to Bangladesh, this is no longer an unreachable goal but it has become a reality in many companies,” she said.

The French senator said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman would be proud of the country that is built today. Now in Bangladesh, it has many challenges to face with around two millions of young people entering the job markets every year, she said.

A recorded video message of Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen was also played at the function, moderated by State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak.

Professor Dr Muhammed Zafar Iqbal read out a keynote paper on the occasion.