EU-Bangladesh partnership to be ‘initialled’ during foreign minister’s Brussels visit

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman will visit Brussels on 20 April to advance Bangladesh-EU ties, with the European Union (EU) expressing strong support for the new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) aimed at boosting cooperation across trade, reforms, and migration management.

The EU highlighted its backing for priority reforms, economic modernisation, and managed migration, emphasising the need for a level playing field to encourage investment. 

“Shared values underpin the EU’s partnerships around the world,” the EU Embassy in Dhaka said today (6 April) following a courtesy call by EU Ambassador Michael Miller and resident Ambassadors of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain, along with the Chargés d’Affaires of Denmark and Sweden, on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

During the meeting, the Heads of Mission conveyed a “message of readiness” to deepen relations with the new government, congratulated the Prime Minister on his landslide election victory, and expressed firm support. 

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the longstanding, mutually beneficial Bangladesh-EU partnership, noting that bilateral relations have steadily progressed into a comprehensive, multi-sector engagement.

The PCA is designed to provide a “comprehensive and robust framework” for Bangladesh-EU relations, enhancing cooperation across diverse sectors while guiding future interactions amid evolving global realities and emerging challenges. 

The EU noted that the agreement will give bilateral ties a new legal foundation that is modern, comprehensive, and better equipped to address contemporary and future issues.

Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman will be accompanied by Md Nazrul Islam, Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the Brussels visit.