Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh Michael Miller on Monday said the EU is the country’s most reliable and largest commercial partner, as well as a highly significant political ally for the new government.
"We look forward to launching a new chapter and intensification in the EU-Bangladesh relations," he told reporters after their meetings with Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Ambassador Miller said the EU is Bangladesh’s most reliable partner, largest commercial partner, biggest investor, a very significant provider of assistance, and a very significant political partner of the newly elected government.
Responding to a question, Ambassador Miller said they are very near to finalising the Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA). "We do hope we will be in a position to sign it with Bangladesh in the nearest possible future."
The Ambassador said they came to the MoFA collectively with the Ambassadors of the European countries as Bangladesh's most reliable partner.
He said they discussed the very broad nature of Bangladesh -EU relations – trade, development, humanitarian issues and migration.
Ambassador Miller said they look forward to exploring the full potential of the EU-Bangladesh relations.
He said the European Union looks forward to the new government of Bangladesh continuing with a series of reforms that were launched under the previous interim government.
“We look forward to the putting in place of judicial reforms, of the commercial courts, of work to introduce regularity into migration management,” said the EU envoy.
“And of course, in our relationship with Bangladesh, the respect for fundamental freedoms is very prominent,” Miller said while responding to a question.
The EU Ambassador was accompanied by a delegation of Ambassadors of EU Member States resident in Dhaka - Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden.
During the meeting, the ambassadors congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for the massive victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in the parliamentary election. They also felicitated the Foreign Minister for his new assignment.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the advancement of Bangladesh-EU relations and underscored that the partnership has evolved into a multifaceted relationship.
The ambassadors reaffirmed their intention to work closely with the present government to further maximise the longstanding, predictable and mutually beneficial Bangladesh-EU partnership.
The ambassadors lauded Bangladesh’s democratic transition and reaffirmed their continued engagement in support of constitutional, judicial, labour and other important reforms.
Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur appreciated the European Union’s deployment of a large Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the February 12, 2026 national election and reiterated the government’s commitment to democratic consolidation, the rule of law and good governance.
The two sides exchanged views on the possibility of commencement of negotiations toward a comprehensive Bangladesh-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
They also addressed topics of mutual interest including regional and global developments, humanitarian issues, water resource management, climate change, maritime economy, migration management, skill development and employment generation.
Earlier in the day, the Ambassadors greeted State Minister Shama Obaed on her recent appointment.
The State Minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to advancing this win-win relation and welcomed enhanced engagement with the European Union and its Member States in areas of shared priority.