<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Visiting Joint Commander of French Force Rear Admiral Emmanuel Slaars on Sunday evening paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the latter’s official residence Ganabhban.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Different issues, including defense cooperation, drydock cooperation and seaway movement came up for discussion in the meeting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sheikh Hasina welcomed and congratulated on commanding the French frigate ‘FH Surcouf’ for its port call to Chattogram from 2-6 July 2023.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She recalled with appreciation that France extended support to the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971 and accorded recognition of Bangladesh as a sovereign country as early on 14 February, 1972.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The PM also recalled with profound gratitude the remarkable manner the leading French Intellectuals like Andre Malraux and Bernard-Henri Levy stood by our people and freedom fighters in 1971.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The premier said there is a scope for both countries to carry out cooperation on drydock.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rear Admiral Emmanuel Slaars said France is a nation of the Indo-Pacific and they are in favour of freedom of navigation and the freedom to fly.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“The law of the sea should be respected,” he was quoted as saying.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">He said human trafficking, particularly women trafficking, is also a major issue for the world.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">PM's ambassador-at-large Mohammad Ziauddin, PM’s Principal Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah and French ambassador to Bangladesh Marie Masdupuy were present at the time. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>