Sir Simon McDonald Bangladesh will remain as a key strategic partner of the United Kingdom (UK) despite the latter's exit from the European Union (EU), a visiting top UK diplomat said on Wednesday.
"Bangladesh will remain as a key strategic partner of the UK due to its economic and historic importance to UK," said Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under-Secretary in the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
He was delivering a public lecture, titled 'Bangladesh and United Kingdom Relations in the context of UK's exit from the European Union', organised by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) at its auditorium in the city.
He was leading the UK delegation at the Third Strategic Dialogue between the two countries in Dhaka on the day.
"We've talked about 17 different strategic points in the dialogue. If 50 per cent of these are implemented, we can say that Bangladesh is and will remain as a strategic partner of the UK," he said.
He also said climate change will be the top priority in the strategic partnership policies between the two countries. Bangladesh is a low-lying country, and one of the mostly-affected countries by climate change.
"The two countries can work together closely on climate change."
The envoy said irrespective of deal or no-deal Brexit, the UK's intention is to maintain a good relationship with Bangladesh. Brexit has to be completed in the second half of this year.
Replying to a question on extradition of convicted Bangladeshi nationals, he said it is a sensitive issue.
"There are many cases between Dhaka and London. More than 90 per cent issues were resolved due to our smooth relationship, and it (extradition issue) will be resolved also," he added.
BIISS Director General Major General Abdur Rahman moderated the lecture.
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