The Franco-German partnership, which has reached its 50-year milestone, has expanded beyond the European Union to Bangladesh. Construction of the first collocated Franco-German embassy in the world is currently underway in Dhaka. German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius will visit Dhaka together on Monday to strengthen relations. Their visit precedes the November climate conference in Paris, and they will also participate in the topping-off ceremony of the joint embassy in Baridhara. German Ambassador in Dhaka Thomas Prinz told bdnews24.com that the upcoming embassy, jointly constructed and operated by France and Germany, would be the first of its kind worldwide. He explained that the building's design, featuring differently colored facade elements, would symbolize the close relationship between the two countries by hinting at a DNA structure. Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali described the visit as historic, as it would be the first joint visit of its kind. He also mentioned that he would be accompanying the two ministers on a trip to the Patuakhali district to observe projects addressing the impacts of climate change. The officials from the foreign ministry mentioned that they would participate in a working lunch organized by Ali at the state guest house Padma, followed by a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban. After attending the topping-off ceremony at the new joint embassy, they would depart from Dhaka at night. The German ambassador explained that the idea for this embassy project originated from the 'joint declaration' commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Elysée Treaty signing in January 2004. The declaration emphasized the decision to construct a joint embassy in order to enhance the diplomatic and consular services network of both countries. The foundation stone for the embassy was laid in 2013 during the 50th anniversary of the Treaty. The Elysée Treaty, seen as a symbol of reconciliation, outlined the future of a strong Franco-German friendship, cooperation, and partnership. Ambassador Prinz emphasized that Germany is a dedicated member of the European Union and believes in the shared values and principles of unity in diversity. The close friendship between France and Germany is vital to the success of the European Union. Both countries supported Bangladesh during the 1971 War of Independence from Pakistan, and Germany remains the largest single-country trading partner for Bangladesh in the EU, providing duty-free market access for all products. France and Germany both collaborate with Bangladesh on multiple international issues such as sustainable development, climate change readiness, culture, and human rights. The visit is important globally, as the German representative stated that challenges are becoming increasingly complex and often require international cooperation. For instance, he mentioned that in order to combat climate change successfully, it is essential for the international community to unite and negotiate a strong, all-encompassing, and legally binding agreement at the upcoming climate conference in Paris in December.