The first round of negotiations on the new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Bangladesh and the European Union (EU) is being delayed as the plan for its initiation in September this year has been postponed. The EU has shown the current situation as a reason behind the postponement. It was scheduled to be held in Dhaka. “The first round of negotiations on the new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) foreseen in September has been postponed due to the prevailing situation,” EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley told UNB, quoting a message he received from Brussels. The envoy also said a new date for starting the negotiations has not been fixed yet.    Read more: It was like a terrorist attack to topple the govt: PM Hasina tells Indian envoy on quota violence. Bangladesh is willing to do it in November as the 79th session of the UN General Assembly opens on September 10, 2024, said a diplomatic source. A Partnership and Cooperation (PCA) agreement is a legally binding agreement between the EU and third countries. By means of a PCA, the EU works to support the democratic and economic development of a country. A PCA is typically entered into for ten years, after which they are automatically extended each year provided no objections are raised. Recently, Ambassador Whiteley said they are eyeing a “step change” in their relations with Bangladesh in the next five years, deepening the ties in core areas. “I think in the next five years we would be really seeing a step change in our relationship,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after his meeting with Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud in January this year. The EU ambassador said the relationship between Bangladesh and the EU will be driven by the new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). Read more: China encouraged by resumption of social order in Bangladesh.

Law Minister Anisul Huq on Thursday said that there is no foreign pressure on the government about the upcoming national election. “If foreigners want to know (about election), we don't mind telling them about it as we do not do politics of killings or lies. We don't hide anything, so we have no objection and no hesitation to let the diplomats know about it,” Anisul said. He came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after a meeting with the ambassadors of Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Spain and France led by EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley at the secretariat in the afternoon. Read more: Petition for extending suspension of Khaleda’s jail term in hand: Law Minister The minister said they will not listen to anyone’s advice about the country's internal affairs as it is an independent nation. “We will do whatever is good for the citizens of the independent state,” he said. When asked if there was any discussion on participatory elections, the minister said, "We want a participatory election. We want everyone to take part in the election. I can also say that there is no question that the upcoming elections in Bangladesh will be free, fair and neutral.” Read more: Foreign diplomats lament rate of women's economic participation while lauding Bangladesh's progress in empowering them “We will not go outside the constitution. The election will be held in the way as mentioned in the constitution. We want all the political parties of Bangladesh to take part in the election. But who will take part in the election and who will not it is up to the political parties,” he said.  

Bangladesh and the European Union (EU) will discuss mainly trade related issues during the visit of a trade delegation from the European parliament in July third week. “They are interested in following trade relations between the EU and Bangladesh which are growing very strongly,” EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley told reporters on Tuesday after his meeting with State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam  He said the delegation of the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) is coming to meet different ministers and other organizations The EU ambassador said both sides will be looking at GSP regulation, which is their global regulation as they are very committed and interested on the trade front. The State Minister said the delegation will visit privately owned factories and see Bangladesh’s development. Bangladesh is already engaging in the GSP Plus issue which is a rather difficult process and the EU says it is very encouraging to see awareness in Bangladesh. The EU is very happy that the Everything but Arms (EBA) has helped Bangladesh and thanked Bangladesh for the high quality clothing that they get from Bangladesh. Also Read: PM to inaugurate new MoFA building Thursday Bangladesh suggested an extension of the existing DFQF market access for Bangladesh in the European market by nine years beyond the three years of leeway after the graduation. Bangladesh can still enjoy the duty-free quota-free market access after 2026 up to 2029. The EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) gives developing countries a special incentive to pursue sustainable development and good governance. Eligible countries have to implement 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, the environment and good governance. The State Minister said there will be a wide-ranging discussion with the EU delegation. Bangladesh draws worldwide attention for keeping up its growth momentum despite the global recession triggered by the pandemic and war, he said.