Online Desk: French President Emmanuel Macron left Dhaka for his country by a special flight at 3pm on Monday. Foreign minister AK Abdul Momen, Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud and Awami League MP Saber Hossain Chowdhury saw him off at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. French President Macron had a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in the capital in the morning.

On his arrival at the PMO at 10:20 am, the French president was received by the Bangladesh premier with a flower bouquet at the tiger gate. Sheikh Hasina and Emmanuel Macron also took part in a photo session before the bilateral meeting. Two instruments, as well, were signed and exchanged regarding Bangabandhu-2 Satellite and improvement of urban infrastructure in Bangladesh, in presence of the two leaders at the Karobi Hall at the PMO. Later, they held a joint press briefing.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also handed over gift to the French president. Before leaving the PMO, Macron signed the visitor’s book kept there. Earlier in the morning, he paid glowing homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at Bangabandhu’s portrait and then visited the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi-32 in the city.

On Sunday, a red carpet was rolled out and national anthems of both the countries were played as Macron was received by the prime minister with a flower bouquet at the airport at 8.10 pm. A guard of honour and 21-gun salute was given to him by the Armed Forces. Macron also inspected the guard of honour.

From the airport, Macron went to the Hotel InterContinental where he later attended an official dinner hosted by the Bangladesh premier in his honour. The French president later went to the Dhanmondi Lake to enjoy the music show performed by local band Joler Gaan.local band Joler Gaan.