Diplomatic Correspondent: Bilateral agreement has been signed between Bangladesh and France for cooperation in trade, investment and defense. It was signed after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met with French President Emmanuel Macho at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Tuesday (November 9th).

This information is known from diplomatic sources.

The defense cooperation includes issues such as modern training as well as technology exchange to enhance the capabilities of Bangladesh's armed forces. In this connection, the possibility of the two countries moving to a new legal framework for defense cooperation cannot be ruled out, the concerned officials have hinted to this reporter.

Sources in Paris said that in order to take the Dhaka-Paris relationship to the next level, economic cooperation, especially trade, increased investment as well as defense cooperation. For a couple of years now, France has been raising the issue of defense cooperation with Bangladesh, especially the sale of fighter jets. French Defense Minister Florence Pearl came to Dhaka last year and requested Sheikh Hasina to sell Daso Rafale. Florence Pearl is scheduled to pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Paris on Wednesday. As a result, the issue of arms sales will also come up in that discussion.

The joint declaration issued after the meeting of the two top leaders highlighted the importance of defense and security cooperation. The two countries agreed to enhance defense and security cooperation. Regular discussions and training will be organized with the aim of enhancing cooperation in this regard. If necessary, the other party will co-operate in providing it according to the demand of one party.

In a joint statement issued after the two leaders' meeting, the two countries called for regular political talks on all aspects of cooperation aimed at giving them a strategic direction in the relationship. The two sides pledged to enhance cooperation in various fields, including politics, diplomacy, defense, security, trade, investment, sustainable development, climate change, education and cultural exchange. Following this, Bangladesh and France have emphasized cooperation in relevant regional and international forums.

Prime Minister's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim told BSS that Biman Bangladesh Airlines VVIP Flight (BG-2106) carrying the Prime Minister and her entourage landed at Charles de Gaulle Airport at 11:20 a.m. French time yesterday. At the airport, the Prime Minister was welcomed by Bangladesh Ambassador to France Khandaker Mohammad Talha and Chief of Local Administration.

The Prime Minister's Press Secretary said that after the private talks between the two leaders, various memoranda of understanding and agreements on mutual cooperation between the two countries would be signed in their presence.

During his five-day visit to Paris, French Defense Minister Florence Pearl will pay a courtesy call on Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In that discussion, the Minister of Defense of France will give priority to the sale of fighter jets (Rafale) to Bangladesh. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh will be accorded reception in the Senate, the upper house of the French Parliament.
According to the draft schedule, a high-level delegation from the Movement of the Enterprise of France (MEDEF), one of the leading business organizations in France, will meet the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will present the UNESCO-Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman International Award on November 11 for her contribution to the creative economy. UNESCO introduced this award in 2020 with the funding of Bangladesh to honor Bangabandhu. On the last day of the visit, November 13, he will attend a meeting of the Paris Peace Forum. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh is scheduled to attend the 75th Anniversary of UNESCO.