Bangladesh has urged the European Union (EU) and its member states to expand opportunities for skilled Bangladeshi workers and professionals through legal migration pathways as the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on migration management.
The issue was discussed when EU Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs Magnus Brunner paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today (12 October).
EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller was also present at the meeting, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting, the state minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to safe, orderly and regular migration and called for practical, demand-driven and results-oriented mobility corridors to encourage legal migration.
She also highlighted the government’s adoption of the National Action Plan (NAP) 2026-2030 to implement the objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM).
Brunner presented the EU’s Eastern Corridor Initiative, which aims to combat irregular migration by engaging countries of origin and transit, along with other stakeholders.
Shama Obaed expressed Bangladesh’s willingness to cooperate under the initiative and briefed the commissioner on measures being taken to prevent and combat irregular migration, including efforts to tackle document fraud and criminal networks.
She also stressed the need to address the root causes of irregular migration while creating more opportunities for regular migration.
Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on migration and maintain dialogue on shared priorities, the press release said.
The state minister also reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to deepening its multifaceted partnership with the EU, including through expanded trade and investment cooperation.
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