Home ›› 07 May 2023 ›› Governance
European Trade Commissioner and Executive Vice-President of the European Parliament Valdis Dombrovskis has recognised Bangladesh-EU relations as a multi-dimensional strategic partnership, and reiterated 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 recognised the role of the EU in the country’s development since independence 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 concretise the elevated relations.
The EU side was apprised of the people centric policies being adopted by the government, including creating and sustaining conducive working conditions in the manufacturing sector.
Practicalities which limit ongoing efforts to implement the National Action Plan on the labour 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 ongoing 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.
