Staff Reporter:
Bangladesh and the European Union (EU) yesterday discussed advancing trade ties, launching FTA nego-tiations and addressing the Rohingya crisis during a high-level meeting in Brussels, reaffirming commit-ment to a forward-looking partnership.
The discussion took place when Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman held a meeting with High Repre-sentative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas, according to a message received in Dhaka yesterday.
The meeting covered a wide range of areas, including political, economic and development cooperation, with a focus on trade and investment, Indo-Pacific cooperation, migration, skills development and labour standards.
Both sides highlighted Bangladesh’s post-LDC transition and stressed the importance of continued preferential market access.
They also discussed initiating negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and an Investment Protec-tion Agreement (IPA) to further strengthen economic engagement.
The two sides welcomed the new Bangladesh-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) as a platform for enhancing cooperation and building a forward-looking partnership.
Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Humayun Kabir was also present at the meeting.
