Bangladesh and European Union have finalised the text of the comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and once signed, it will serve as the "legal and political foundation" for the strategic and long-term relationship between Bangladesh and the EU.
The two sides think It will help strengthen relations in many policy areas, from human rights and governance to trade, investment, environmental sustainability and climate change as well as food security, energy, transport and science, technology and innovation.
Moreover, Dhaka on Thursday said the agreement will also be a significant milestone as Bangladesh moves towards becoming the first South Asian country to sign a PCA with the European Union.
Fifth round of negotiations between Bangladesh and the European Union on the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) was held on January 7-8 in Dhaka and Sylhet.
Through the negotiations, both sides finalised the text of the agreement.
A 3-member delegation of the European Union is currently visiting Bangladesh for this purpose.
Secretary (Bilateral) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam led the Bangladesh delegation while the European Union side was led by the Acting Managing Director for Asia-Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS) Paola Pampaloni.
EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Millar and high officials of the European Union were also present both physically and virtually during the negotiations. Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the European Union, Representatives from relevant Ministries and Departments of Bangladesh Government assisted Dr Islam in the meeting.
The negotiations on the proposed PCA started with the Explanatory Meeting between Bangladesh and EU in Dhaka in November 2024.
Since then, the two sides engaged in five rounds of discussions and several technical meetings in Dhaka and Brussels, both physically and virtually.
The fifth round focused particularly on some key thematic areas of mutual interests between Bangladesh and the European Union, including legal and judicial cooperation, intellectual property rights, energy cooperation, fisheries, aquaculture and ocean governance, trade and investment, human rights, customs cooperation, etc.
Both sides engaged in a constructive discussion for reaching out a comprehensive, balanced and mutually beneficial agreement that reflects the evolving priorities of the Bangladesh-EU relationship and also addresses emerging global challenges.
After successful negotiations, the text of the PCA agreement has been agreed upon by both the Parties, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Earlier on Wednesday, the European Union delegation had courtesy calls on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain.
During the meetings, the two sides discussed a wide range of issues covering Bangladesh–EU relations, including the PCA Agreement, upcoming general elections and referendum, combating illegal migration, cooperation in renewable energy, and expanding trade and investment.
The Chief Adviser reaffirmed his government's commitment to ensuring a free, fair, and peaceful election in Bangladesh.
The Foreign Adviser underscored Bangladesh’s position on a constructive, forward looking and result-oriented engagement with the European Union.
Pampaloni stressed the importance of a peaceful election in Bangladesh and mentioned that Bangladesh–EU relations could reach new heights following a successful democratic transition, ushering in a new era of engagement between Dhaka and the world’s largest economic bloc.