DHAKA, July 11, 2024 (BSS) - French ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy today said that Paris actively seeks to strengthen its relationship with Dhaka, driven by the assumption that Bangladesh's fate and trajectory are crucial for the stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

"France's eagerness to build up its relationship with Bangladesh is backed by the assumption that your country matters, that the fate and trajectory of your country do matter for the stability of this part of the world, at the heart of the Indo-Pacific region," she said.

Masdupuy said France's vision for a 'Third Way' in the Indo-Pacific is based on respecting sovereignty and strategic autonomy of our partners.
 
The Ambassador was speaking at a reception marking the France National Day at the French embassy here.

Law Minister Anisul Huq was present at the celebration as the chief guest.

Pointing out the thriving bilateral relation between France and Bangladesh, Masdupuy said that political relation enjoys a high degree of confidence and mutual trust as shown with the historical visit of President Macron to Bangladesh last September.

"Hence our eagerness to support Bangladesh in acquiring its strategic autonomy as President Macron recalled it in his congratulation letter to HPM (Sheikh Hasina) last January," she said.

Turning down the matter that France's eagerness of improving bilateral ties Bangladesh is for 'Airbus deal' the envoy said, "Many experts and journalists want to think it's all for purely commercial reasons, and are eager to mention so-called 'Airbus deals' and other equivalent trade perspectives. Of course, they are wrong (and biased by our competitors)."

She sought Bangladesh's participation in the UN Ocean Conference to join hands for the conservation of the oceans that is scheduled in June next year in Nice, France.

"The depth of our relation is also a tribute to the impressive and successful efforts displayed by Bangladesh to build a resilient economy," she said.

The recent kick off of France Bangladesh Business Club will support this renewed bond, which could already be witnessed with the very successful joint Trade and Investment Summit held in France last October.
 
"Alliance FranCaise de Dhaka will celebrate its 65th anniversary next October. We are actively preparing the launch in France of cultural events focused on Bangladesh to start in the spring of 2025," she said.

Observing the cultural relation is growing day by day between two countries, the Ambassador said that French support to artists, on both sides, will be enhanced by a new scheme of residencies.