Deputy Managing Director for Asia Pacific Department at the European External Action Service Paola Pampaloni on Sunday said the Bangladesh-European Union relations have been transforming from development-centric to wide-ranging strategic partnership.

She conveyed readiness of the EU in extending political and technical support to the reform initiatives of the Interim Government.

New EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, accompanied by Paola Pampaloni paid an introductory courtesy call on Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin at the latter’s office and discussed the issues of mutual interest.

The Foreign Secretary mentioned that the EU is an important partner of Bangladesh and hoped for robust future engagements in all spheres.

He highlighted the priorities of the Interim Government, including deep reforms in different sectors, and formation of relevant reform commissions to that purpose.

Jashim shed light on the context of the unprecedented student-led mass uprising, and bears vast aspirations of the youth for a country free of discrimination, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Referring to the meeting between the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh and the European Commission President on the sidelines of the 79th UNGA in New York, the Foreign Secretary expressed desire to continue to work with the EU in the spirit of long-standing collaboration and shared aspirations.  

Both sides appreciated exchange of messages between the high-level dignitaries after the formation of the interim government, and the upcoming discussion on Partnership and Cooperation Agreement towards elevating the Bangladesh-EU relations to a new height.

Both sides also discussed upcoming Bangladesh-EU Joint Commission meeting, trade and investment, preferential trading facility beyond 2029, and reform in the labour sector.