The European Union (EU) on Wednesday stressed the importance of a ‘peaceful election in Bangladesh, saying 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.

Visiting Acting Managing Director for Asia-Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS) Paola Pampaloni, who met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna, said the EU attaches top priority to its relationship with Bangladesh, reflected in its decision to deploy a significant, high-level election observation mission to monitor the February-12 general election.

She said the head of the EU Election Observation Mission would arrive in Bangladesh later this week and is expected to hold a series of meetings with political leaders and relevant authorities.

Prof Yunus said both the general election and the referendum were crucial for Bangladesh’s democratic transition.

He said political parties have endorsed the July Charter and expressed confidence that they would campaign for ‘yes’ votes in the referendum. “I don’t think any party will seek a ‘no’ vote,” he said.

The Chief Adviser reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the vote would be free, fair, participatory and peaceful.  “People in this country have not been able to vote in free and fair elections for the past 16 years under autocratic rule. This time, they will vote in a festive manner,” he added.

Prof Yunus described the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) as one of the most important agreements for Bangladesh and said it would ‘solidify’ Bangladesh-European Union (EU) relations.

He made the remarks when visiting Acting Managing Director for Asia-Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS) Paola Pampaloni paid a courtesy call on him.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed a wide range of issues covering Bangladesh-EU relations, including negotiations on the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA), the upcoming general elections and referendum, combating illegal migration, and expanding trade and investment.

Pampaloni mentioned that the initiation of negotiations on the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement in November 2024 came after 20 years during which time there was a general partnership agreement.

Pampaloni congratulated the Chief Adviser for the ‘incredible and massive’ work he has undertaken since assuming leadership of the interim government in August last year, particularly in carrying out important reforms to which the European Union, as Bangladesh's political and largest commercial partner, attaches great importance, and ensuring peace and stability at a critical juncture for the country.

“It was remarkable. It was very closely followed and appreciated by the European Union,” she said, adding that when the Interim Government took office, the ambition for reforms was huge.

The senior EU official welcomed the progress made on the PCA between the EU and Bangladesh, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing.

Pampaloni said the pact would pave the way for deeper ties between the two partners and open up significant opportunities in trade and investment.

In response, Prof Yunus thanked the EU for its sustained support to the interim government over the past 17 months.

Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy of the Chief Adviser, and Lamiya Morshed, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator and Senior Secretary, and Michael Miller, the European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh, were also present at the meeting.