Germany to boost ties with BD in future
Staff Reporter :
The outgoing envoy of Germany has stated that his country wants to enhance the relations with Bangladesh in multifaceted areas including trade, cultural and academic cooperation.
The remarks came when the German Ambassador Achim Troster paid a farewell call on Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday.
The meeting highlighted key milestones in bilateral cooperation and reaffirmed the commitment to deepening ties in the years ahead, the foreign ministry said.
Foreign Secretary Siam praised Ambassador Troster’s successful tenure and his contributions to elevating Bangladesh-Germany relations, expressing confidence that the strong momentum built in recent years would be carried forward by his successor.
During their meeting, both sides recalled significant achievements under the Ambassador’s tenure, including the inaugural Strategic Dialogue held in Berlin in 2021, the advancement of the Climate and Development Partnership, and the expansion of trade, cultural, and academic cooperation.
Germany’s vital role as Bangladesh’s largest European trading partner was underscored, along with its longstanding development assistance in sectors such as rural development, healthcare, education, energy efficiency, and private sector growth.
The Foreign Secretary emphasised the importance of faster visa processing to facilitate growing academic exchanges and called for expanding legal migration pathways under the Bangladesh-EU Talent Partnership framework.
The conversation also touched on Germany’s continued humanitarian support for the Rohingya refugees, with Foreign Secretary Siam reiterating that voluntary and safe repatriation to Myanmar remains the only sustainable solution to the crisis.
Appreciating Germany’s global leadership in climate initiatives such as the Global Shield and the Climate Club, the Foreign Secretary expressed hope that Bangladesh would soon access associated financial tools to enhance its climate resilience.
As Ambassador Troster prepares to depart, Bangladesh expressed gratitude for his role in strengthening bilateral relations and extended best wishes for his future endeavors.