Brussels: The European Union (EU) announced plans for the new Bangladesh-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) to be initialed during Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman’s visit to Brussels on April 20, aiming to enhance cooperation in numerous areas.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the EU emphasized its support for priority reforms, economic modernization, and managed migration, highlighting the importance of a level playing field to encourage investment. The EU Embassy in Dhaka noted that shared values are the foundation of the EU’s worldwide partnerships following a meeting between the EU Delegation to Bangladesh Ambassador Michael Miller, EU Member States’ ambassadors, and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
The Heads of Mission from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the EU conveyed their readiness to strengthen relations with Bangladesh’s new government. They congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on his recent electoral victory and pledged strong support for his administration.
Both parties reiterated their commitment to bolstering the longstanding Bangladesh-EU partnership, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Satisfaction was expressed with the progress of bilateral relations, noting that the partnership has developed into a comprehensive engagement covering all sectors of mutual interest.
The PCA is designed to provide a comprehensive framework for Bangladesh-EU relations, enhancing cooperation across various sectors while guiding future interactions amid new global challenges. The agreement aims to offer a modern legal foundation to better address current and future challenges facing both Bangladesh and the EU.
Dr. Md Nazrul Islam, Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will accompany Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman during his Brussels visit.