French senators eye stronger political engagement with Bangladesh

A delegation of three French senators on Sunday met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at her office and discussed issues and ways to further strengthen political engagement between Bangladesh and France.

Senators Guillaume Chevrollier, Pierre-Alain Roiron and Olivier Henno arrived in Dhaka on Saturday night on a three-day official visit.

Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet and Head of the Political Wing of the Embassy Christian Bec accompanied the senators during their meeting with the State Minister.

They are part of the French-Southeast Asia and Bangladesh Senate Friendship Group, and the visit is particularly meaningful as it is the first political-level visit from France since the new democratically elected government took office in Bangladesh, said the French Embassy in Dhaka.

They will discuss strengthening political and parliamentary ties, exchange perspectives with their Bangladeshi counterparts and explore new areas of cooperation between the two countries.

The French Senate (Sénat) is the upper chamber of the French Parliament, alongside the National Assembly.

The senators are scheduled to meet the Speaker of Parliament Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and hold discussions with various Bangladeshi interlocutors.

Their program also includes visits to places associated with French development cooperation, museums, and meetings with members of the French community in Dhaka, as well as engagements with representatives of the business community.