Date: Dhaka, 14 February 2022 On this auspicious event of the 50 Years of the Diplomatic Relations between Bangladesh and Canada, I would like to recall the support of the Canadian people and the then Canadian Government led by the former Canadian Prime Minister Rt. Honourable. Pierre Trudeau, extended to our glorious War of Independence. Canada was also one of the first few countries to recognise Bangladesh immediately after its independence. I would like to recall that the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the former Prime Minister Rt. Honourable. Pierre Trudeau laid down the foundation of friendship between the two countries based on shared commitment to peace, pluralism, and dignity of people. The first official visit of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujbur Rahman to Ottawa, Canada in 1973 ushered a new horizon of friendship and bonding for the people of the two countries. Since then, the partnership has been steadily growing. I also like to recognize Canada's valuable support to Bangladesh's membership to Commonwealth and the United Nations after the Independence. I would also like to thank Canada for its assistance in the reconstruction of the war-ravaged Bangladesh following the recognition and valuable support in the field of socio-economic development for the development of youth and women's economic empowerment. Bangladesh has graduated now as a middle-income country and the country is known as a "Development Miracle". In our journey through this tremendous socio-economic development under the Hon'ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Canadian support has also played a useful part. Today, Canada is Bangladesh's important development partner and a trusted and tested friend. Bangladesh is working closely with Canada in several important global issues, including climate change, promoting global peace and security and many others. Joint leadership of the two countries in the Women, Peace, and Security Chiefs of Defence Network is an exemplary partnership between the two countries to maintain global peace and security. We thank Canada for its appreciation for Bangladesh's contribution to the UN Peacekeeping Operation. Bangladesh looks forward to closer cooperation and partnership in defence and security issues, including elimination of any kind of extremism. Bangladesh is also committed to deepening and expanding the trade and investment relations with Canada and would work closely for the steady growth in this sector. We deeply appreciate Canada's support to the issues of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMNs). Bangladesh expects Canada playing a more active role in ensuring that the perpetrators of genocide and crime against humanity in Rakhine State of Myanmar are brought to justice and a conducive environment in Rakhine State in Myanmar is created for a safe and dignified return of more than $1.1$ million FDMNs from Bangladesh as soon as possible. Bangladesh being a time-tested partner of Canada, I would like to reiterate our long-standing request for the deportation of Nur Chowdhury, the self-confessed and convicted killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujbur Rahman. This killer has been living in Canada as fugitive for close to thirty years. Canada being known as the proponent for promotion and protection of human rights, and rule of law, the two countries can work together to agree on some modalities for the deportation of this heinous killer and flagrant violator of human rights. Lastly, I express my sincere hope and optimism that the existing excellent relations and partnership between Bangladesh and Canada will continue to flourish, and the two countries would work closely to take them to new heights in the spirit of mutual interest, friendship, and respect. ----x----