Dhaka: In an unprecedented move, diplomats from all 27 European Union (EU) member states, stationed in Dhaka and New Delhi, along with the EU ambassador to Bangladesh, will meet Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on December 9 to explore new areas of collaboration. The announcement was made by Mohammad Rafiqul Alam, Director General of the Public Diplomacy Wing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the ministry’s weekly briefing this afternoon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, this meeting will be a unique opportunity to discuss a broad range of issues. The agenda includes enhanced cooperation in economic sectors, addressing the Rohingya crisis, post-LDC Generalized Scheme of Preferences plus (GSP+) facilities, and a potential Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Bangladesh. The EU’s trade relationship with Bangladesh has been anchored in the Everything but Arms (EBA) initiative since 2001, which grants duty-free, quota-free market access to the least developed countries (LDCs).
As B
angladesh transitions out of the LDC category, the upcoming dialogue aims to chart the course for continued trade and economic collaboration. This is the first time ambassadors from all 27 EU countries have convened for a joint meeting with the Bangladeshi government, signaling their collective commitment to deepening ties. Currently, seven EU ambassadors are based in Dhaka, while the remaining 20 operate from New Delhi.
The meeting is seen as a strong signal of EU support for Bangladesh and an effort to foster high-level cooperation across a range of strategic areas. This engagement underscores the EU’s intent to strengthen its partnership with Bangladesh in the face of evolving global challenges.