The Head of EU Delegation to Bangladesh Ambassador Mr. Charles Whiteley paid a farewell courtesy call on Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud, MP this afternoon at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Foreign Minister congratulated the EU Head of Delegation on successful completion of his tour of duty in Bangladesh and praised his efforts and contributions in further strengthening Bangladesh-EU partnership. The EU Head of Delegation thanked the Foreign Minister for all out support of the Government of Bangladesh in discharging his responsibilities.

The EU Head of Delegation termed Bangladesh as a good friend of the EU and commended Bangladesh’s commitment towards EU initiatives, particularly Global Gateway, Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and CRIMARIO II project.

Foreign Minister reiterated Bangladesh’s desire of attaining EU’s EBA GSP trade facility until 2032, in consideration of the adverse impacts of climate change on Bangladesh impacts, to support Bangladesh’s smooth graduation from the LDC. The EU Head of Delegation underscored the importance of complying GSP regulations to secure GSP+ trade facility beyond 2029.

The Foreign Minister expressed delight over the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-EU partnership last year and in this connection, recalled the fruitful visit of  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Brussels in October 2023 to join the inaugural Global Gateway Forum.  Foreign Minister and the EU Head of Delegation shared happiness over the Bangladesh-EU Talent Partnership and hoped that this would bring immense success in opening legal pathways for migration of skilled workers from Bangladesh to the EU Members States.

Thanking the EU for its continued humanitarian assistances to the forcibly displaced Rohingyas in Bangladesh, the Hon’ble Foreign Minister sought EU and its Member States’ strong support in resolving the crisis through their safe, sustainable and dignified repatriation to Myanmar. The EU Head of Delegation, with his practical experience of working in Bangladesh, assured to duly convey the severity of the Rohingya crisis and its impacts on this region to the EU Headquarters for stronger support.