UNB :
Bangladesh and France have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on defence cooperation as the two countries stated their will to further develop the defence and security component of their partnership.
“Yes, we did it [signed it]. However, it relates to training and technology transfer,” Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen told UNB.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and French President Emmanuel Macron had a bilateral meeting on Tuesday and discussed the issues of mutual interest and cooperation.
To that end, the two countries agreed to strengthen dialogue and continue their cooperation, particularly in the area of training, which was launched during this visit.
They committed to stepping up cooperation
in the area of defence equipment based on the needs expressed and each party’s ability to respond to them, including through capacity building and potential technology transfer in this regard, according to a joint statement.
At the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is making an official visit to France from November 9.
The high-level discussions covered, among other issues, elevating bilateral relations, the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties which both countries will celebrate next year and major international and regional issues.
Both sides recalled the historic leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and Bangladesh acknowledged the valuable support of the government and people of France during the War of Liberation in 1971. The two sides also discussed geopolitical and security issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
France and Bangladesh shared the same vision for a free, open, peaceful, secure and inclusive Indo-Pacific region, based on international law and with shared prosperity for all.
Taking note of the French and European strategies concerning the Indo-Pacific, both parties agreed to work towards promoting regional peace and stability and explore further opportunities for cooperation in maritime security and the blue economy.
Highlighting their commitment to fully observing the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes, refraining from any threat or use of force, they stated the importance of maintaining security and freedom of navigation and overflight in all seas and oceans.
