Photo: Embassy

DHAKA, July 14, 2026 (BSS) - French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet today said France expects a level playing field and genuine reciprocity from Bangladesh to further strengthen bilateral relations, expressing hope that Dhaka would demonstrate its commitment to expanding the partnership in a concrete manner.

"As reliable partners, we naturally expect to benefit from a level playing field in order to continue and develop our relationship based on genuine reciprocity. We expect Bangladesh to also demonstrate its interest in partnering in a concrete way," he said.

The Ambassador was addressing a reception hosted by the French Embassy at its premises in Dhaka to celebrate Bastille Day, the National Day of France. 

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood attended the reception as the chief guest while diplomats, senior government officials, business leaders, development partners and members of civil society were also present.

Ambassador Charlet said that France is committed to revitalising and expanding its long-standing partnership with Bangladesh across trade, investment, culture, climate action, innovation and strategic cooperation.

Referring to the longstanding economic partnership between Bangladesh and Europe, Séré-Charlet  said France and the European Union have consistently supported Bangladesh's economic growth over the past quarter-century.

"A good example is that France and the European Union have been supporting Bangladesh for 25 years by establishing a system that has favored its exports and has allowed the Bangladeshi ready-made-garment industry to develop with remarkable results," he said.

The envoy said that France and the European Union remain attentive to the initiatives the Bangladesh government intends to pursue for further deepening bilateral cooperation.

Reflecting on Bangladesh's recent political developments, Charlet said the country had undergone an extraordinary democratic transition over the past several months.

He recalled that when he arrived in Bangladesh, the country was still under an interim government and political discussions centred on the timing of the national election and the July Charter.

Welcoming Bangladesh's return to democratic governance, he said the European Union had closely supported the electoral process by deploying an election observation mission comprising more than 200 observers.

"I must confess that I am very impressed, and so are we in Paris, by the strong commitment of the Bangladeshi people to democracy. The elections were held in a very remarkable way, with a high level of participation and results that were not disputed," he said.

"We are very pleased because we needed a Bangladesh back within the community of democracies," he added.

He also congratulated Bangladesh on the election of Dr. Khalilur Rahman as President of the 81st United Nations General Assembly and Bangladesh Ambassador to France Khondker Talha on his election as President of the UNESCO Executive Board.

The ambassador expressed confidence that Bangladesh and France could further elevate their partnership through stronger political dialogue, expanded economic cooperation and closer people-to-people exchanges.

Highlighting existing cooperation, the ambassador said France is actively engaged in Bangladesh through cultural exchanges, development cooperation and business partnerships.

French companies are also expanding their presence in Bangladesh in sectors including fashion, aerospace, civil aviation, water management and infrastructure, while France is keen to further increase its commercial engagement, he added.

The ambassador highlighted climate change as another key pillar of bilateral cooperation, saying more than 80 percent of AFD's annual projects in Bangladesh focus on climate mitigation, resilience and biodiversity conservation.

He said the French Development Agency (AFD), which has been operating in Bangladesh since 2012, has provided nearly two billion euros in financing, particularly for climate resilience, poverty reduction and women's empowerment.

Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet  said France recognises Bangladesh's geographical, economic and 
human potential and is ready to build a long-term partnership with the country, which he described as a rapidly growing economy with an efficient workforce and the potential to become a pillar of stability in the region.

France also has a strategic interest in the Indo-Pacific, where more than 1.5 million French citizens live permanently, making deeper engagement with Bangladesh a natural priority, he noted.

The ambassador further noted that France was among the first countries to recognise Bangladesh following its independence in 1971, describing the relationship as one that transcends governments and is rooted in the friendship between the peoples of the two nations.

He also paid tribute to the late André Malraux, describing him as a renowned French writer, resistance hero and a close friend of Bangladesh who had championed the country's cause even before its independence.

On international affairs, Séré-Charlet reaffirmed France's commitment to peace, multilateralism and international law, referring to French diplomatic initiatives on the Strait of Hormuz crisis, recognition of the State of Palestine and support for Ukraine's sovereignty.