Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Wednesday dismissed the notion that choosing Boeing over Airbus might shape EU-Bangladesh relations and GSP-related discussions, stressing Bangladesh’s ties with Europe would not be affected by a commercial deal.
“I do not believe our overall relations will be affected by a commercial deal,” he told reporters while responding to a question at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Earlier, German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Rüdiger Lotz at ‘DCAB Talk’ said Bangladesh’s withdrawal from its commitment to purchase Airbus aircraft would have an impact on its trade relations with Europe.
He said Bangladesh’s decision regarding the purchase of Airbus aircraft from France could influence the overall climate of bilateral and European economic relations.
A decision on aircraft purchase could have an impact, not necessarily severe consequences, but certainly an effect on the overall atmosphere of bilateral economic relations, the Ambassador said.
When his attention was drawn, Foreign Affairs Adviser Hossain said Ambassadors naturally promote the commercial interests of their own countries, but Bangladesh would make procurement decisions strictly on expert evaluation and national requirements.
“Any ambassador will naturally try to promote his country’s products. It is normal and it is part of his responsibility. He has fulfilled his responsibility,” Hossain said.
He said Bangladesh would not take decisions based on external pressure or commentary. “What matters for us is what our experts determine based on Bangladesh’s requirements and fleet size. We will not go outside expert opinion, nor will we make decisions based on what others say.”
The German Ambassador said his country is the most important business partner for Bangladesh. “And we have the feeling that we have been treated this way in the bilateral relations and it should continue that way. I think we need reliability in business contexts.”
He said they simply think now Airbus is delivering an excellent product. “I'm not the representative of the airline industry but I think it is an excellent choice in an increasing air aviation market that you have here.”
Referring to aircraft purchase, the Ambassador said of course decisions that are linked to the bilateral economic relations also depend to a certain extent on decisions like that. “So things like the whole GSP plus decision or how these negotiations go that somehow affect the atmosphere and how decisions like Airbus are taken here. “
He, however, said it is a free and independent decision and they will continue to have close business relations because of its mutual interest.
Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) hosted the event at the Jatiya Press Club (JPC). DCAB President AKM Moinuddin and General Secretary Md Arifuzzaman Mamun also spoke.