Bangladesh, Italy discuss trade, migration, Rohingya crisis

Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro on Sunday discussed expanding bilateral cooperation, including parliamentary diplomacy, migration, trade, the Rohingya crisis and energy exploration.

The ambassador paid a courtesy call on the Speaker at his office, where they discussed ways to strengthen relations between Bangladesh and Italy.

Hafiz Uddin said the two countries had maintained long-standing friendly relations and expressed hope that bilateral ties would expand further.

He recalled that Italy recognised Bangladesh in 1972, marking the beginning of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries.

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

He said Bangladesh had resumed its journey towards democracy through the latest national election and that the expansion of parliamentary democracy had further strengthened the country’s relations with democratic countries around the world.

Hafiz Uddin also appreciated Italy’s efforts to ensure safe and legal migration for Bangladeshi workers.
He thanked Italy for providing financial assistance for humanitarian support and the rehabilitation of Rohingyas.

The Speaker said Italy was an important commercial partner in supplying defence equipment to Bangladesh and that various Italian machinery and equipment were widely available in the Bangladeshi market.