Joint Commander of the French Forces deployed in the Indian Ocean Rear Admiral Emmanuel Slaars has said they are extremely concerned over illegal trafficking, more specifically narco-trafficking and weapon trafficking.

“Those illegal trafficking activities need to be tackled. To do so, it needs specific skills and legal management issues. France is an active nation to fight against narcotics trafficking,” he told UNB in an interview, highlighting the importance of knowledge sharing and training.

Ambassador of France to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy was present during Monday’s interview on board visiting French naval ship, Surcouf.

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As a nation of the Indian Ocean, Slaars said, they have economic exclusive zones (EEZs) into which resources need to be protected.

Surcouf, the La Fayette type frigate, arrived in Chattogram port on Sunday on a five-day port-call.

The arrival of a French naval ship in Bangladesh after 2016 demonstrates the beginning of a new relationship between the two countries.

Admiral Slaars while sitting inside the ship said this visit shows their dedication to work with Bangladesh forces. “We are both active members of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium and we wish to build on it,” he said.

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“We are having regular port visits, last time we had such a visit in 2016. It has been quite a while. We are happy to renew the relationship. Cooperation is there. Joint activities with Bangladesh Navy ships are a demonstration of our ability to work together,” he said.

Responding to a question Slaars said Bangladesh is also really committed to defending international laws.

“We strongly believe that international law is a very important pillar. We are totally engaged in defending that international law. With regards to sea it means freedom of navigation and freedom of flying in international air space, and also fight against illegal trafficking,” he said, adding that France is an active nation fighting against the illegal trafficking in the Indian Ocean.

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Talking about illegal trafficking, he said they can share their knowledge in this domain, more specifically narcotics trafficking and weapon trafficking.

The visiting Joint Commander paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter’s official residence Ganabhban on Sunday evening and discussed issues of mutual interest.

“I am extremely happy…she renewed the trust that she has in France,” Admiral Slaars said, adding that they discussed what they intend to do in the coming days through the quality of cooperation.

During the prime minister’s visit to France in November 2021, the two countries stated their will to further develop the defence and security component of their partnership.

To that end, both countries agreed to strengthen dialogue and continue their cooperation, in particular the area of training, which was launched during this visit.

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The two countries committed to step up cooperation in the area of defence equipment based on the needs expressed and each party’s ability to respond to them, including through capacity building and potential technology transfer. In this regard, both parties welcomed the signing of a Letter of intent on defence cooperation.

Responding to a question on modernization of Bangladesh forces and Forces Goal 2030,  Slaars said they will be able to study any specific request on this.

The visit of the ship aims to improve bilateral cooperation and the ship will leave on Thursday.

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The La Fayette type frigates (FLF) are multi-purpose combat vessels, designed primarily to preserve and enforce national interests in overseas maritime areas and to participate in the settlement of crises outside Europe.

Intervention on the high seas and crisis zone, patrol and escort, anti-ship warfare, surveillance of maritime space and fight against illicit trafficking are among the tasks of such a ship.