DHAKA, Dec 19, 2021 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today expressed
happiness over the outcome of her visit to France in November last and hoped to sustain the momentum in the coming years.

   "I am indeed very happy with the discussion and outcome of my France visit
November last and hope to sustain the momentum in the coming years," she
said.

   The prime minister came up with the remarks while French Ambassador Jean-
Marin Schuh paid a farewell call on her at her official Ganabhaban residence
here this morning.

  PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed the newsmen after the meeting.

   The prime minister thanked French President for inviting her on an
official bilateral visit to Paris in November last.

   During the discussion, Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh has historical
bondage with France because the French government and its people supported
Bangladesh during its Liberation War in 1971.

  The French envoy informed the premier that her government will provide 1.2
million Covid-19 vaccines under the Covax this week.

   He said France is going to take up chairmanship of European Union next
February and set to hold an Indo-Pacific summit with the countries of the
region in the same month.

   He said they would invite Bangladesh in the Indo-Pacific summit.

   The envoy also said that a joint communiqué was signed between France and
Bangladesh which covered many aspects of the relations of the countries.

  Economic and political relations between France and Bangladesh is
enhancing, he also said.

   About the impact of the Covid-19, Sheikh Hasina said that all countries
have suffered consequences due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  "We have huge population. We carried forward our economic activities
despite the pandemic," she said.
   
  The prime minister commended the French ambassador for his successful
tenure in Bangladesh and thanked him for his dynamic role in taking forward
Bangladesh-France relations.

   She felicitated the outgoing ambassador on his appointment as Franc's
special envoy on Afghanistan.

   Jean-Marin Schuh thanked the prime minister for her government's
cooperation in discharging his duties during his tenure.

   The envoy appreciated Bangladesh's growth rate in the last year saying
that the growth was very significant even during the pandemic.

   He has sought cooperation from Bangladesh government as his country want
to expand the Alliance française in Chattogram.

   PM's Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus was present at the meeting.