Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad Holds Bilateral Talks with U.S. and Spanish Envoys
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Speaker of the National Parliament Hafiz Uddin Ahmad held separate courtesy meetings on Tuesday with U.S. Ambassador Brent Te Christenson and Spanish Ambassador Gabriel Sistiaga at the Parliament House in Dhaka to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and addressing pressing national priorities.
During his meeting with the U.S. ambassador, Speaker Ahmad reflected on the historical bond between the two nations, tracing its origins to the 1971 Liberation War and specifically honoring the contributions of American diplomat Archer Kent Blood. Emphasizing that the two nations are currently reaching a milestone in their relationship, the Speaker asserted that the most recent national election was held in a free and fair manner. He maintained that Bangladesh has a long history of resisting autocracy and that the nation can only achieve sustainable prosperity through the democratic process.
The discussions between the Speaker and the U.S. delegation covered a wide array of economic and political topics. Both sides underscored the importance of securing duty-free access for Bangladeshi products in the U.S. market and explored ways to increase foreign direct investment. Furthermore, the parties addressed the need for enhanced people-to-people connectivity, the observation of Democracy Day within parliamentary caucus forums, and cooperation in recovering laundered funds. The Speaker also sought U.S. assistance in mitigating Bangladesh’s ongoing energy crisis through oil and gas exploration, while urging the United States to play a more proactive role in resolving the protracted Rohingya refugee crisis.
In a separate session at the Parliament House, the Speaker welcomed Spanish Ambassador Gabriel Sistiaga to discuss the deep-rooted friendship between the two countries. Highlighting that the European Union serves as Bangladesh’s second-largest export destination, the Speaker invited the Spanish government to scale up its foreign investment in Bangladesh. He expressed optimism that increased economic cooperation would serve as a vital catalyst for the nation’s continued economic growth.
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