Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Sunday said Bangladesh and Italy enjoy long-standing friendly relations and expressed hope that the ties will expand in the coming days.

He made the remarks when Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro paid a courtesy call on him at his office.

The Speaker said Italy recognised Bangladesh in 1972, marking the beginning of bilateral relations between the two countries.

He appreciated Italy’s support for Bangladeshi migrants and said Italy is one of the major destinations for Bangladeshi export products among European Union countries.

Hafiz Uddin said Bangladesh has resumed its journey towards democracy through the latest national election and that the expansion of parliamentary democracy has further strengthened its relations with democratic countries around the world.

He said Italy has been working to ensure safe and legal migration for Bangladeshi migrants.

The Speaker also appreciated Italy’s financial assistance to Bangladesh for humanitarian support and the rehabilitation of Rohingyas.

He said Italy is an important commercial partner of Bangladesh in supplying defence equipment and various Italian machinery and equipment are widely available in the Bangladeshi market.

The Italian ambassador said Bangladesh is an old friend of Italy and the Italian government has always extended strong support to Bangladesh’s democratic progress.

He expressed Italy’s interest in strengthening parliamentary diplomacy through the formation of a Bangladesh-Italy Parliamentary Friendship Group and exchanges of parliamentary delegations.

Alessandro said Bangladesh exports large quantities of ready-made garments, leather goods and ceramic products to Italy every year.

During the meeting, the two sides stressed the formation of a parliamentary friendship group, resolution of the ongoing Rohingya crisis and exploration and drilling for oil and gas in Bangladesh’s coastal areas to help address the country’s energy needs.

The Speaker invited Italian companies to participate in the exploration and extraction of oil and gas resources in Bangladesh’s coastal areas.

Diplomatic representatives of the Italian Embassy and relevant officials of the Parliament Secretariat were present at the meeting.