The European Union (EU) wants to take the partnership and cooperation with Bangladesh to a new height, said its ambasador said on Thursday (January 18, 2024). Ambassador Charles Whiteley made the remarks while paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganabhaban. He also congratulated Hasina on her re-election as the prime minister for fourth consecutive term and the fifth overall. ADB President to PM Hasina: 'Under your leadership in last 15 years, Bangladesh made extraordinary progress in all areas of development' "The existing facilities which Bangladesh is currently getting in various sectors including environment, good governance, renewable energy and transportation under the Global Gateway will be further enhanced in the days to come," PM's Deputy Press Secretary Md. Noorelahi Mina said quoted Whiteley. The ambassador mentioned that the EU had already given Bangladesh 407 million Euro during the recent Global Gateway Forum summit at Brussels in Belgium. The EU envoy promised to continue the facilities given to Bangladesh under EBA (Everything but Arms) facilities. He also pledged to continue the GSP plus facilities to Bangladesh, said the deputy press secretary. Steps taken to purchase commodities in advance for Ramadan: PM The EU ambssador also highly praised the inititives taken by Hasina's government for the development of those with disabilities and the marginalised people. Bangladesh Premier has expressed her satisfaction over the existing relationship between her country and the European Union over the last 50 years. "This relationship between Bangladesh and European Union will be elevated to a new height," she said. The prime minister thanked the EU for continuing support under the EBA and sought greater cooperation in different sectors including renewable energy under the Global Gateway programme. Ambassador-at-large M Ziauddin and PM's Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present during the meeting. Read more: Russia proposes wheat export to Bangladesh, discusses bilateral trade expansion

Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud on Wednesday (January 17, 2024) said Bangladesh has agreed to deepen ties with the United States through expansion of trade and strengthening efforts to combat “militancy and fanaticism.” "We have expressed our commitment to work together," he told reporters after his separate meetings with US Ambassador Peter Haas and European Union Ambassador Charles Whiteley at his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  The Foreign Minister said the rise of fanaticism is a problem worldwide.  Responding to a question, he also said there has been exploration of oil offshore.  Bangladesh, China discuss promoting FTA negotiation and attracting investment The Foreign Minister said there are oil reserves as discovered by a US company. He said Bangladesh and the US have cooperation in the defence area and they have discussed the issue.  The Foreign Minister said he has discussed the Rohingya repatriation issue with both the ambassadors. He said Bangladesh wants Rohingyas to return to their homeland with full rights. EU to start negotiations on Partnership Cooperation Agreement very soon, says Charles Whiteley Hasan Mahmud said Bangladesh is now hosting around 15 lakh Rohingyas, and the number is growing . "It's a burden for us." Talking to reporters, US Ambassador Peter Haas said he looks forward to working closely with Bangladesh in the coming months on issues of mutual importance.  He mentioned climate change, expanding business opportunities, and other areas of cooperation to advance the relations.  "I look forward to working very closely in the coming months to advance our mutual interest," said Ambassador Haas. Referring to the meeting with the Foreign Minister, he said it was an opportunity to talk about the future of the US-Bangladesh relationship.  Lavrov to Hasan Mahmud: Russia-Bangladesh ties based on solid foundation of friendship Regarding his meeting with EU Ambassador Whiteley, the Foreign Minister said they discussed the Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA) so that both sides can reach a fruitful position through negotiations. 

Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh, Charles Whiteley, on Wednesday (January 17, 2024) said they are going to start negotiations on the Partnership Cooperation Agreement very soon which he sees as a new generation agreement involving wide-ranging issues. Ferry driver missing after it capsizes with vehicles in Padma River “We had a very fruitful and dynamic discussion,” he told reporters after his meeting with Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud at his office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Whiteley said they discussed ways to take the Bangladesh-EU partnership forward. ADB President to PM Hasina: 'Under your leadership in last 15 years, Bangladesh made extraordinary progress in all areas of development'

Amid continuous greetings from Bangladesh's international friends and partners to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her re-election, ambassadors of the United States (US) and the European Union (EU) are set to meet Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today (January 17, 2024) at his office. US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas, who was criticised in the political arena before the January 7 national election, will meet the foreign minister at 12 pm today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Later, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley will meet Minister Hasan Mahmud at 1 pm, according to the minister’s programme schedule. Peter Haas to spend Christmas with family in India Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formed her new cabinet on January 11 with a combination of new and old faces. Even though the United States concluded that the election was not “free or fair,” it voiced commitment to work with Bangladesh. The US ambassador also attended the oath-taking ceremony held at Bangabhaban recently. “Looking ahead, the United States remains committed to partnering with Bangladesh to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, to supporting human rights and civil society in Bangladesh, and to deepening our people-to-people and economic ties,” said US State Department Spokesperson Mathew Miller a day after the election. The European Union (EU) said it will continue to work with the government of Bangladesh on the priorities that characterise their longstanding relations in the political, human rights, trade and development spheres including the country’s possible future access to the GSP+ preferential trade scheme. Labour rights critical to growth and sustainability of Bangladesh’s RMG sector: Peter Haas "The EU strongly encourages all stakeholders to respect political pluralism, democratic values and international human rights standards and to engage in peaceful dialogue," said High Representative Josep Borrell Fontelles in a statement on behalf of the EU. It is essential that the media, civil society and political parties can carry out their work without censorship or fear of reprisals, said the EU. Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma met the foreign minister on Monday.He was the first foreign envoy to meet the foreign minister after formation of the new Cabinet. Ruling out any external pressure, Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud on Sunday said Bangladesh will stick to its foreign policy principle – “friendship to all, malice towards none” – against the backdrop of a divided world. US Ambassador Peter Haas holding meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen “All the countries in the East and the West have expressed their willingness to work with us, with the government. At the end of the day, they are our development partners and we will work together,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Minister is scheduled to leave for Uganda on Wednesday night to attend the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Six Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have urged High Representative/Vice-President of the European Union (EU) Josep Borrell Fontelles to ensure free, fair, and impartial general election – possibly under a polls-time neutral, caretaker government – in Bangladesh. The MEPs are Ivan ŠTEFANEC (EPP, Slovak Republic), Michaela ŠOJDROVÁ (EPP, Czech Republic), Andrey KOVATCHEV (EPP, Bulgaria), Karen MELCHIOR (Renew, Denmark), Javier NART (Renew, Spain) and Heidi HAUTALA (Greens/EFA, Finland). Read more: Religious leaders shocked at congressmen's letter to Biden In a letter to the EU High Representative, the six MEPs also called for ending what they say “violation of human rights, release of Begum Khaleda Zia, and engagement of the government with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and other major political parties to find out a sustainable and democratic solution to the ongoing crises.” The Embassy of the European Union in Dhaka, however, sees this letter as the views of the six MEPs who signed the letter. “I would just note that this letter reflects the views of the 6 MEPs who signed it,” EU Ambassador to Bangladesh, Charles Whiteley, told UNB. Read: State of Christians in Bangladesh: Archbishop Emeritus Patrick D'Rozario rejects 6 US congressmen’s letter to Biden EU has strong reasons to stand with the people of Bangladesh as a long-time partner in trade and development cooperation, the signatory MEPs believe. “Thus, the EU needs not only to remain in constant dialogue with Bangladesh’s authorities on human rights agenda, but also to produce tangible outcomes,” the letter reads. They mentioned potential measures such as restriction of entry into the EEA zone for those responsible for and complicit in human rights abuses, or regular reminding of the conditions for the GSP+ incentive to which Bangladesh is a bidder may be evaluated. Read: Exaggeration, inconsistency in Congressmen’s letter: Shahriar Alam “In this regard, we would appreciate to know more about the results of the EU-Bangladesh Joint Commission and Subgroup on Good Governance and Human Rights and the plans to work on the Bangladeshi authorities on these (and possibly other),” the letter reads.