DHAKA, Jan 25, 2024 (BSS) - Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said Bangladesh is looking forward to further deepening bilateral ties with France and Germany as well as expanding the export basket for these two major European nations.

"We have discussed on deepening our ties with them as well as widening our export basket (for France and Germany)," he told reporters at the foreign ministry here.

The foreign minister was briefing the journalists after holding separate meetings with French ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy and German ambassador to Bangladesh Achim Troster at his office.

During the meetings, Hasan said he discussed about the ways to expand business and attract more investment from France and Germany to Bangladesh.

Hasan said, the envoys congratulated the new Bangladesh government and expressed keen interest to work with it in the coming days.
He said both the ambassadors assured him that the two European powers will continue to play their supportive role like before in the development journey of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
 
He said the envoys also handed over the letters of French President and German Chancellor written to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina congratulating on her re-election.

With the French ambassador, the foreign minister said, he also discussed on progress of the signed MoUs to purchase 2nd Bangabandhu satellite and aircraft from Airbus.

During the last visit of French President Emmanuel Macron in Dhaka, instruments were signed between the two countries regarding purchase of satellite and Airbus aircraft.

The foreign minister said the 2nd satellite which will be utilized for security purpose and making weather forecast is one of the government's priorities.

Responding to a question, Hasan said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will visit Germany next month to attend the Munich security conference.

Currently, he said, the foreign ministry is working on setting up bilateral meetings for the Bangladesh Prime Minister with global dignitaries on the side lines of the summit.

Replying to another question, Hasan said any statement "backed by lobbyists" on Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus would have no adverse impact on foreign investment inflow into the country.

The foreign minister said Dr Yunus has been in the discussion over the last 12 years and Bangladesh still received significant foreign investment.