Berlin reaffirms enduring Bangladesh partnership, German Vice Minister
Visiting German Vice Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Dr Bärbel Kofler has said here Germany remains committed to a reliable, long-term partnership with Bangladesh, pledging closer cooperation on sustainable development, climate resilience and shared economic challenges.
"We are here to stay," she said at a reception marking German Reunification Day at the Franco-German Embassy in Dhaka last evening.
Kofler said Germany wanted to work with Bangladesh and its European partners to address shared challenges and advance development that balances environmental protection, economic growth and social progress.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo attended as the chief guest at the reception hosted by German Ambassador Dr Rüdiger Lotz and Ivana Lotz.
Senior government leaders, diplomats, civil society representatives and cultural and media personalities from Bangladesh and Germany attended the event.
Highlighting the longstanding bilateral ties, Kofler said Germany's development cooperation had worked closely with Bangladesh's government, private sector and civil society.
Despite challenging geopolitical circumstances, she said, the partnership had a success story to tell, reflecting Bangladesh's development achievements and progress through joint cooperation.
"The people of Bangladesh have made tremendous progress in growth and development," she said.
The vice minister highlighted cooperation on the Global Shield against Climate Risks, climate adaptation and energy as examples of the two countries' joint efforts to strengthen resilience.
She welcomed what she described as the Bangladesh government's decision to pursue a future free from fossil fuels, saying the transition could help build essential infrastructure and reduce vulnerability to geopolitical disruptions.
Kofler said global conflicts were affecting energy supplies, prices and food security, underscoring the importance of cooperation on a sustainable development path.
She acknowledged the pressure rising food and energy prices were placing on Bangladeshi households and businesses, saying Germany also faced such challenges.
"I am here, representing Germany, not simply to acknowledge these challenges, but to discuss how we can work together to address them," she said.
Kofler stressed that closer engagement among Bangladesh, Germany and European Union partners was essential to tackling challenges extending beyond national borders.
"We can overcome global challenges only if we are united," she said.
Congratulating Bangladesh on its forthcoming graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, she emphasised the need for sustained economic, financial, social and environmental reforms.
She linked discussions on graduation and a possible free trade agreement with Europe to continued reform efforts, saying cooperation would be necessary to meet the challenges ahead.
The vice minister also identified climate change, digitalisation and artificial intelligence as areas requiring attention, alongside the creation of decent jobs and better prospects for young people.
Reaffirming Germany's commitment, she said remaining a reliable friend to Bangladesh was both a German and a European responsibility.
She called for frank discussions about the difficulties involved in achieving shared goals, expressing confidence that the partners could overcome them together.
Kofler, on her third visit to Bangladesh, said her engagements over three days had included meetings with civil society and trade union representatives, entrepreneurs, government ministers and political representatives.
The exchanges had helped her better understand Bangladesh, its people and their aspirations for the future, she said.
Reflecting on German Unity Day, which commemorates the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990, Kofler said the occasion represented peace, solidarity and the overcoming of divisions, values that also underpinned cooperation with Bangladesh.