Staff Reporter:
European Trade Commissioner and Executive Vice-President of the European Parliament Valdis Dom-brovskis has recognized Bangladesh-EU relations as a multi-dimensional strategic partnership, and reit-erated EU’s political commitment in this regard.
On his last leg of an intense four-day visit, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam met the European Trade Commissioner at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels May 5.
Commending Bangladesh as the biggest beneficiary of the EU’s EBA scheme, the European Trade Commissioner expressed EU’s support for a smooth graduation of Bangladesh out of LDC status and for Bangladesh to apply for GSP+ concessions.
He highlighted EU-Bangladesh Business Climate Dialogue and EU-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce as important platforms for European and Bangladeshi businesses to come together meaningfully.
The Trade Commissioner appreciated Bangladesh’s adaptation of the National Action Plan on the Labour Sector.
The EBA scheme removes tariffs and quotas for all imports of goods (except arms and ammunition), coming into the EU from least developed countries (LDCs).
On his last leg of an intense four-day visit, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam met the European Trade Commissioner at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels May 5.
The State Minister gratefully recognized the role of the EU in the country’s development since inde-pendence as Bangladesh and the EU celebrate 50 years of partnership.
He apprised the EVP of steps being taken by the government to diversify the economy and prepare for graduation and the much bigger role of the EU envisaged in future.
Bangladesh expressed hope for an early launching of the Partnership Cooperation Agreement which would be an important institutional and legal mechanism to concretize the elevated relations.
The EU side was apprised of the people centric policies being adopted by the government, including cre-ating and sustaining conducive working conditions in the manufacturing sector.
Practicalities which limit ongoing efforts to implement the National Action Plan on the labor sector of Bangladesh were also conveyed.
Earlier in the morning, State Minister Alam held an interactive conversation on Bangladesh’s foreign policy and geopolitical role in the Indo-Pacific region, EU-Bangladesh relations, impact of Russia’s on-going war in Ukraine, global peace, Rohingya crisis, climate change and more at the event titled ‘EPC Talks Geopolitics’ at the European Policy Centre in Brussels.
On May 4, the State Minister met Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB) Kris Peeters and discussed EIB offers for investing in infrastructure development, climate-friendly technology and renewable energy in the country.
Opportunities to harness the EU’s Global Gateway initiative were discussed, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The State Minister also held a comprehensive meeting with Stefano Sannino, Secretary General of the European External Action Service (EEAS).
Early launching of the Partnership Cooperation Agreement between both sides was discussed. Sannino welcomed Bangladesh’s unveiling of the Indo-Pacific outlook.
Other issues of discussion included climate change, Rohingya crisis, scope for skilled workforce from Bangladesh filing job market needs in Europe and food and energy crisis due to the war in Ukraine.
Bangladesh Member of Parliament Nahim Razzaque, Bangladesh Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the EU, Mahbub Hassan Saleh, and officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy were present during the meetings.
On May 3, Shahriar Alam joined a reception hosted by the Embassy of Bangladesh in Brussels to mark the 52nd Anniversary of Independence and National Day at the prestigious Cercle Royal Gaulois in Brussels.
The State Minister thanked Belgium and the EU for their support to Bangladesh, which enabled the country to anchor its relations with these two partners on trade, rather than aid.
Commending the EU’s role in Bangladesh’s socio-economic developmental journey in the last 50 years, Ambassador Mahbub Hassan Saleh, termed it a proud moment in history to be engaging with the EU at a time when Bangladesh is on the threshold of graduating.
Deputy Secretary General of the EEAS Enrique Mora and Director General of Bilateral Affairs of the Belgian Foreign Ministry Jeroen Cooreman were present as guests of honour.
High level officials from Belgian, Luxembourg and the EU institutions, as well as members of the Bang-ladesh community, media, academia and think tanks joined the gala reception.
State Minister Shahriar Alam left Brussels on Saturday after completing his “engaging” visit to Brussels where he had meetings with EU Commissioners and Members of the European Parliament.
