Bangladesh’s Ambassador to France and Permanent Representative to UNESCO, Khandker M Talha, who has been reappointed on a contractual basis, was accorded a warm reception by members of various political and social organisations and the expatriate Bangladeshi community in France.

The reception was held on Wednesday afternoon at the auditorium of the Bangladesh Embassy in Paris.

Prior to the main event, an exchange meeting took place where leaders from various expatriate organisations interacted with the ambassador, discussing Bangladesh-France relations and issues pertinent to the Bangladeshi diaspora.

Conducted by Head of Chancery Md Walid Bin Kashem, the exchange meeting featured speeches from various community leaders, including former General Secretary of France BNP MA Taher, former Vice-Presidents Abdur Rahim and Shah Jamal, Prof Taslim Uddin, Rashid Patwari, former Joint General Secretary Junaid Ahmed, Kawsar Uddin of Khilafah Majlis, and Altafur Rahman, President of Jalalabad Association France.

Speakers congratulated Ambassador Talha on his reappointment. They expressed hope that the ambassador would continue his role in effectively highlighting Bangladesh’s interests in France, working for the welfare of expatriates, and further strengthening the existing friendly relations between Bangladesh and France.

Talha expressed his sincere gratitude to everyone present. He acknowledged the cooperation, advice, and sincerity of the expatriate community in the discharge of his duties.

He also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Tareq Rahman for placing trust in him through this reappointment.

The ambassador stated that he would continue to perform his duties with the aim of properly presenting Bangladesh’s interests in France, further strengthening existing bilateral relations, and making embassy activities more effective for the welfare of expatriate Bangladeshis.

Highlighting various initiatives and activities of the embassy during his tenure, he said there are ample opportunities to increase mutual cooperation between Bangladesh and France in political, economic, cultural, and educational fields.

He emphasised advancing relations in these areas based on mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation.

Furthermore, outlining various aspects of his role as Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to UNESCO, the ambassador mentioned that he is working to appropriately present Bangladesh’s interests and priorities in multilateral diplomacy and to further enhance Bangladesh’s positive image internationally.

Emphasising the strengthening of communication and cooperation between the embassy and the expatriate community, he said Bangladeshis living in France play a vital role in upholding the country’s image and interests.

He expressed his commitment to working more effectively in the future through mutual communication, cooperation, and coordination between the embassy and the expatriates.

Embassy officials present at the event included Defense Attaché Brigadier General Mohammad Khairuzzaman Mollah, Counselor Mahfuza Sultana, Head of Chancery Md Walid Bin Kashem, First Secretary Sheikh Marefat Tarikul Islam, Minister (Commercial) Mizanur Rahman, and Second Secretary KFM Sharhad Shakil, among others.