Bangladesh and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, with a focus on trade expansion, launching negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and addressing the ongoing Rohingya crisis.

The issues were discussed during a high-level meeting in Brussels between Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, who also serves as vice president of the European Commission.

According to officials, the talks covered a broad spectrum of cooperation areas, including political dialogue, economic collaboration, development partnerships, and Indo-Pacific engagement. Migration, skills development, and labour standards also featured prominently in the discussions, reflecting shared priorities in managing global and regional challenges.

Both sides underscored the significance of Bangladesh’s transition from Least Developed Country (LDC) status and stressed the need to ensure continued preferential market access to support sustainable economic growth. They also expressed interest in accelerating formal negotiations on an FTA and an Investment Protection Agreement (IPA), seen as key instruments to boost trade and investment flows.

According to BSS, the meeting highlighted growing momentum in Bangladesh-EU relations, with both parties welcoming the proposed Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) as a framework to institutionalize cooperation and promote a forward-looking partnership.

The Rohingya issue was also discussed, with Bangladesh reiterating the need for sustained international support and durable solutions for the displaced population, most of whom remain sheltered in camps in Cox’s Bazar after fleeing violence in Myanmar.

Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Humayun Kabir was also present during the meeting.

The engagement reflects Dhaka’s broader efforts to diversify trade partnerships and deepen strategic ties with key global actors, as it prepares for a post-LDC economic landscape.

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