Bangladesh-Italy Friendship Unshaken Despite Holey Artisan Tragedy: Ambassador

The tragic Holey Artisan Bakery attack, which claimed the lives of nine Italian citizens among others, remains a solemn memory that has not dented the enduring friendship between Bangladesh and Italy, affirmed Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro. Reflecting on the incident in an email interview with a vernacular daily, Ambassador Alessandro emphasized that while the attack aimed to sow fear and division, it ultimately failed to undermine the mutual respect and solidarity shared between the two nations.

"It was a heinous terrorist attack driven by extremism, intending to propagate fear and hate across communities," remarked Ambassador Alessandro. "However, the warmth and openness of the Bangladeshi people, alongside the united response from both local and expatriate communities, proved resilient in overcoming that dark chapter."

Highlighting Italy's longstanding support for Bangladesh since its independence in 1971, Ambassador Alessandro underscored that the Holey Artisan attack did not weaken this historical bond. On the contrary, it reinforced the resolve of both nations to combat violent extremism while fostering deeper economic and cultural ties.

Responding to questions about the targeting of Italians during the attack, Ambassador Alessandro clarified, "It was a tragic coincidence that Italian expatriates were present at that moment. The attack did not single out Italians specifically." He took the opportunity to honor the memory of the victims and expressed solidarity with their families, friends, and all affected, regardless of nationality.

Looking ahead, Ambassador Alessandro highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen security cooperation between Italy and Bangladesh, particularly in defense and training for police and security officials. He affirmed Italy's commitment to enhancing these partnerships to bolster Bangladesh's security infrastructure and support its contributions to global peacekeeping efforts under the United Nations.

As Bangladesh and Italy commemorate the victims each year on July 1st with a ceremony promoting peace, dialogue, and understanding, Ambassador Alessandro expressed optimism for the future, underpinned by the shared values and mutual respect that define their bilateral relations.