Describing Bangladesh Election Commission as an independent body, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said it has been working independently in all fields.
“The Election Commission has been working independently in every field, including decision making,” she said when French Ambassador to Bangladesh Sophie Auber met her at her office.
After the meeting, PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.
He said the French Ambassador apprised the Prime Minister of the update of the Smart Card project of Bangladesh Election Commission which is being implemented by French company ‘Overthur Technologies’.
Sophie Auber sought Bangladesh government’s support in this regard, saying the French government is also providing support to complete the project in a faster way.
Terming the Smart Card project a ‘politically important’ one, she said the cooperation between the two countries in this regard is a bright example of bilateral relations.
Assuring her of all-out support to the project, the Prime Minister hoped that the French company will provide quality products and complete the work in time.
The French envoy also apprised Hasina of the progress on the Bangabandhu Satellite which is scheduled to be launched in December next.
Sophie Auber handed over a letter of French Prime Minister Edward Philip to the Prime Minister where he said both the countries are going to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the beginning of the diplomatic relations this year.
In the letter, the French Prime Minister said: “In 2017 as we’re celebrating the 45th anniversary of the beginning of our diplomatic relations, I wish we could continue to strengthening our cooperation in a number of areas such as climate change and promotion of the sustainable development.”
Edward Philip hoped that Dhaka and Paris will continue to strengthen the cooperation in a number of areas such as climate change and sustainable development.
Recalling French support during the Liberation War of Bangladesh, Hasina welcomed the young leadership in the French government.
The Prime Minister said she is glad to see the young and dynamic leadership in France and is waiting to meet the new President during an upcoming even of Unesco meet in Paris in late October.
Senior Secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office Suraiya Begum and Military Secretary to the Prime Minister Major General Miah Mohammad Joynul Abedin were present.
