Madrid:Bangladesh and Spain have engaged in discussions to enhance bilateral cooperation with a focus on trade, investment, cultural exchanges, sports diplomacy, tourism, and skilled migration.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the discussions took place during a meeting in Madrid between Bangladesh's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaed Islam, and Spain's State Secretary for Foreign and Global Affairs, Diego Martínez Belío. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the meeting occurred on Wednesday.
During the meeting, Bangladesh reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards human trafficking and migrant smuggling. Both countries explored expanding existing trade and investment opportunities, business-to-business exchanges, export diversification, and the organization of expos. The potential for greater cooperation in cultural exchanges was also discussed, with a call for an early conclusion of the proposed memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation.
The discussions also touched on sports diplomacy, the creative economy, arts, and tourism. Shama Obaed highlighted the role of sports in strengthening people-to-people contacts and stressed the importance of creating legal pathways for skilled migration. She encouraged Spain to participate in the European Union's Talent Partnerships initiative for Bangladeshi workers.
The Spanish side reaffirmed its support for advancing engagement with Bangladesh in mutual interest areas. Belío described the prospects for future engagement as promising, expressing Spain's readiness to support efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation. Both sides agreed to expedite the conclusion of agreed bilateral instruments and negotiations on other instruments, and expressed eagerness to hold the second Bangladesh-Spain Foreign Office Consultations at the earliest opportunity.
Additionally, they underscored the importance of regular high-level exchanges to further strengthen bilateral relations and advance cooperation.
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