Dhaka, Sept. 20 -- Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad on Sunday said Bangladesh and Italy enjoy long-standing friendly relations and expressed hope that the ties will expand in the coming days.

He made the remarks when Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro paid a courtesy call on him at his office.

The Speaker said Italy recognised Bangladesh in 1972, marking the beginning of bilateral relations between the two countries.

He appreciated Italy's support for Bangladeshi migrants and said Italy is one of the major destinations for Bangladeshi export products among European Union countries.

Hafiz Uddin said Bangladesh has resumed its journey towards democracy through the latest national election and that the expansion of parliamentar...