First EU-Bangladesh dialogue today
European Union is going to hold the first-ever political dialogue with Bangladesh today, as the two sides aim to deepen their relationship, at a time when the influence of Bangladesh is growing globally.
European External Action Service (EEAS) Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs Enrique Mora will lead the EU side of the dialogue, while State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam will lead Bangladesh's side.
The event will be held at the capital's Padma state guest house.
"We have an opportunity to discuss all sorts of political issues that we have shared concerns on," EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley told The Daily Star.
He said both Bangladesh and EU have various global and bilateral interests, and the areas of cooperation between the countries are expanding.
The decision of holding a political dialogue was taken in October last year, during a meeting between Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Mora.
EU has been providing duty-free access for Bangladeshi products to its market under "Everything But Arms" programme, which has greatly contributed to the flourishing of Bangladesh's apparel industry.
However, the duty-free access could end with the LDC graduation of Bangladesh.
EU will have another programme called "GSP Plus" for duty-free benefits that will, however, require conditions of improving governance and labour standards, democracy, human rights and improved environmental standards.
A foreign ministry official said EU has launched a new programme called "Talent Partnership", and Bangladesh has been included in it.
"Europe -- especially Italy, Greece, Spain and Portugal -- has slowly become a destination for Bangladeshi migrants. EU insists on preventing irregular migration, and we are working on it," he told this correspondent yesterday.
On the labour issue, Bangladesh has made significant progress, and the EU is happy about it, though there is room for improvement, he said.
The official also said the EU has been a strong supporter of Bangladesh on Rohingya issue, and this will be addressed in the dialogue.
Bangladesh will seek technological support for renewable energy and funding for climate change adaptation.
Besides, EU has taken a strong stance of Russia's invasion against Ukraine and it will also ask Bangladesh to be on its side.
The dialogue will feature the issue of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and cooperation on anti-terrorism efforts, a diplomatic source said.