The Covid-19 vaccines must be available and affordable for all, French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marin Schuh said on Tuesday, amidst great disparity between rich and poor countries with respect to vaccination.
Speaking on the occasion of the national day of France that falls on July 14, he also said that the international response to the pandemic should be coordinated.
"The pandemic calls for a strong coordinated international response, recognizing extensive immunization as a global public good that must be available and affordable for all," said the ambassador.
"With each person vaccinated, we move closer to the day when people can meet each other, hug each other, and celebrate again," he said.
On the Dhaka-Paris relationship, Ambassador Schuh said: "I would like to recall the warm friendship that has existed between our two countries and their leaders, ever since the Liberation War in 1971, when André Malraux supported the fight led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman."
"The success of our cooperation in the fields of environment, energy and transport but also in culture and education has strengthened our common vision and opened new areas of work such as blue economy, maritime security and defense,'" he said.
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Assuring to continue playing an active part to further strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries, the French envoy wished every success to Bangladesh and its people.
"We have all endured a challenging year. But alongside the suffering and the loss, we have seen immense compassion, care, and courage. We have seen the world’s best scientists come together to deliver treatments, vaccines, and hope at an extraordinary pace," he said.
"I look forward to work with you in order to prepare for the future: building resilience, adapting to the changing global environment, seizing new opportunities," he added.
The ambassador welcomed the Bangladeshi efforts to provide the best assistance for the Rohingyas sheltered in Cox's Bazar, saying that France would continue to mobilize the international community to allow the forcibly displaced people a voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return to Myanmar, their country of origin.