French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy on Thursday said both Dhaka and Paris were eager to maintain "independence in the decision-making process" when it came to relations with other states or groups of states.
"Our political relations with Bangladesh enjoy a high degree of confidence and mutual trust in the spirit of Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to Paris [at the end of] 2021," she said while speaking at the French national day reception she hosted at the embassy.
Education Minister Dipu Mini was present as chief guest.
Bastille Day, known in English-speaking countries as English-speaking countries to the national day of France, is celebrated on July 14 every year. It commemorates the fall of the Bastille fortress on July 14, 1789, which marked the end of monarchy in the country.
Her comment comes against the common perception that France being an active member of Nato would speak the language of the Western bloc, particularly the US, when it comes to political issues in Bangladesh.
The ambassador also listed French priorities in different regions of the world.
“Our two countries are eager to maintain independence in decision-making processes when it comes to relations with other states or groups of states as both our countries regularly illustrate it on the international stage," she said.
"We also share the principles and values lying at the heart of our Indo-Pacific visions: a rules-based order, inclusive and conducive to free trade and freedom of movement for our people,” the ambassador said.
Trade between the two countries was “thriving and reached an unprecedented level last year at €5 billion,” Masdupuy said.
"I am looking forward to the Bangladesh-France Trade and Investment Summit, which will be organized in Paris and Toulouse this fall by BSEC and BIDA. This will be a unique occasion to see our business communities closely networking and getting more familiar with some of our flagship industries, in particular in the aeronautics and space areas."
Bastille Day became the official national day of France only at the onset of the third French Republic in 1880 and has continued since then to be celebrated by the French, in France and around the world.
The ambassador said the values of "liberty, equality and fraternity" had been not invented by the French Revolution but brought together at that time as a mobilizing motto.
"These three words are today an integral part of our national heritage."
This year marks 51 years of diplomatic relations between France and Bangladesh and also the 50th anniversary of André Malraux's visit to Bangladesh, in April 1973.
"We will be organizing an event to commemorate this historical visit which led him from Dhaka to Chittagong and Rajshahi where he was made doctor honoris causa. The figure of Malraux is the perfect example of the ancient and deep relationship between our countries," she said.
André Malraux was a French novelist, art theorist, and minister of cultural affairs.
She said France, with its European partners and its allies, had been unwaveringly supporting the Ukrainian people and would continue to do so, whatever it took, until Ukraine won the war.
But, the ambassador said, France was also very actively engaged on many other frontlines: “In Europe to build up our strategic autonomy; in Asia, which is clearly a theatre of intense competition amongst powers, hence the importance of a balanced Indo-Pacific vision; in Africa, where we have been substantially reviewing our diplomacy to centre it more on youth and economy; in the Middle East, which is undergoing very substantial changes with the exception of the continued plight of the Palestinian people; on women empowerment and feminist diplomacy; and last but not least on climate change.”
"Tackling climate change is indeed our number one priority," she said.
"We intend to work closely with Bangladesh in order to streamline our projects in all the climate-related fields."
She welcomed the appointment by the Bangladesh prime minister of a special envoy for climate change, Saber Hossain Chowdhury.
The French development bank, AFD, she said, was more and more committed to climate-oriented projects in Bangladesh where its activities had been growing at an "outstanding pace" in the last years.
This year the ambassador also launched the Ambassador's Prize to honour three students in the master's program in French language and culture at the Institute of Modern Language of Dhaka University.
Aminul Islam, Sakina Anjuma Akter and Aryah Ashraf got the first, second and third prizes, respectively.
Aminul will get the chance to attend a French language training course this summer at CAVILAM, in the town of Vichy, a renowned language learning centre in France.
