Airbus issue important for advancing Bangladesh-EU ties: French ambassador

Photo: Collected

French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Serre-Charlet has said the issue of purchasing Airbus aircraft is important for advancing Bangladesh’s relations with Europe.

He said Dhaka’s decision on the Airbus issue would be important in determining Bangladesh’s long-term relations with Europe, as nearly 50% of the country’s ready-made garments are exported to Europe. Therefore, relations with Europe are also a major interest for Bangladesh.

The French ambassador made the remarks in response to a question at a DCAB Talk organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) in Dhaka on Tuesday.

He said France and Europe are not concerned about Bangladesh’s agreement with Boeing. “France or Europe does not believe in imposed relationships. Rather, Europe wants to be a genuine and trusted partner in Bangladesh’s development. Airbus is important in advancing relations with Europe,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of Airbus sales for Europe, he said, “Of course, 10 aircraft is not a major contract, but for us it means more than that. It is very important for Bangladesh to be willing to engage in discussions to establish a long-term partnership with Europeans in the field of civil aviation.”

He said such a deal should not be viewed simply as the sale of Airbus aircraft. “It is not that we sell Airbus and then it is over; it is actually about entering into a long-term partnership,” he said.

Describing Europe as a major partner of Bangladesh, the ambassador said 48% of Bangladesh’s ready-made garment exports go to Europe, compared with 17% to the United States. “That is three to one. If you include the United Kingdom, it is even higher. So Europe is the major partner,” he said.

He said, “When we speak with our Bangladeshi friends, we only remind them that our common interest is to build a partnership. You have a reliable, relevant and interested partner who wants to cooperate with you.”

The purchase of aircraft for Biman Bangladesh Airlines had been under discussion since the previous Awami League government. There had been a tussle over whether the multibillion-dollar deal would go to US aviation giant Boeing or European aircraft manufacturer Airbus.

Towards the end of its tenure, the Awami League government had leaned towards Airbus, with then-civil aviation minister Mahbub Ali saying that a decision to purchase 10 aircraft from the European manufacturer would be finalised.

However, following the political change on August 5, the interim government decided to purchase aircraft from Boeing.

The BNP government, which came to power in February, also followed the Boeing route. Two months after taking office, the government signed an agreement with Boeing to purchase 14 aircraft.

Even after the agreement, Airbus officials apparently did not give up. They have continued their efforts at the highest levels of the government.

Explaining how discussions with Airbus began during the Awami League government, Ambassador Jean-Marc Serre-Charlet said Biman Bangladesh chose Airbus for “good technical reasons” considering the advantages of having a mixed fleet, “not for political reasons.”

He said many airlines around the world have adopted Airbus, and Biman is no exception.

The French ambassador said Biman Bangladesh Airlines had expressed interest in purchasing Airbus aircraft several years ago following technical evaluations and discussions based on priorities. Having Airbus aircraft in Biman’s fleet was important and beneficial for the airline itself.

He said major airlines around the world operate mixed fleets comprising both Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

“Nobody has to depend on a single company. You can compare the advantages of the two and make a choice,” he said.

He cited an aircraft capable of flying directly from Dhaka to the east coast of the United States without a stopover. “And it is not a Boeing; it is an Airbus. Only this aircraft in the world is capable of doing that,” he said.

Therefore, he said, Biman Bangladesh chose Airbus for many logical and technical reasons, not for political reasons.

Jean-Marc Serre-Charlet said it is evident from the number of airlines worldwide using Airbus that Biman’s decision was neither questionable nor mistaken.

He said they had learned that Boeing had been able to sell some aircraft to the United States, which would be delivered around 2031 or 2035. “That is their commercial matter. But Biman Bangladesh Airlines still remains interested in Airbus. Discussions are still ongoing,” he said.

The ambassador said France and Europe never tell Bangladesh to choose between “us” and “them,” whoever “them” may be.

“As I said at the beginning, we believe in partnership. Partnership does not mean exclusion; it means inclusion,” he said.

He added that if Bangladesh decides that moving forward with a free trade agreement (FTA) would not be beneficial, that would be its decision. European countries could also decide that they do not want an FTA, and that would be their decision.

“Therefore, what message Dhaka is sending to Europe matters,” he said.