Bangladesh and France on Monday explored avenues for expanding cooperation in trade and investment, climate action, culture, women empowerment, sustainable development, education and skills development, connectivity, migration, and global peace and security.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global developments, emphasising the importance of dialogue, mutual respect, restraint, and respect for international law for maintaining peace, stability and security across the world.

The issues were discussed when Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Jean‑Marc Séré‑Charlet paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ambassador warmly congratulated the State Minister on her recent assumption of duties and expressed optimism that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and France would be further strengthened during her tenure.

The State Minister acknowledged France’s longstanding development cooperation with Bangladesh across diverse sectors.

She expressed Bangladesh’s interest in exploring additional opportunities to deepen trade and investment relations with the European Union within the framework of existing arrangements and cooperation mechanisms, with a view to sustaining the competitiveness of Bangladeshi exports in the EU market.

The State Minister sought France’s support for Bangladesh’s candidature for the upcoming Presidency of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly for the term 2026-2027, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador Séré‑Charlet reaffirmed France’s commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation with Bangladesh to advance the shared vision of peace, prosperity, and progress.