Report by Humayun Kabir from Bangladesh.
It was a crisp April morning in Dhaka when I stepped into the quiet, sunlit conference room at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.I had the privilege of holding a thirty-minute meeting with Mr. Touhid Hossain, the esteemed Foreign Affairs Advisor of Bangladesh. Though brief, the session was rich with insight and intent, laying a path toward stronger international cooperation and understanding between Bangladesh and Europe.
For thirty meaningful minutes, we engaged in a focused and impactful dialogue that spanned crucial international matters. We began with the intricate topic of implementing the Apostille Convention in European countries—a step that would simplify legal document authentication and greatly benefit Bangladeshis living, studying, or doing business abroad. Mr. Hossain emphasized the need for robust legal harmonization and outlined a vision where Bangladesh would work closely with European governments to push for mutual recognition of civil documents.
Our discussion then turned to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Europe to Bangladesh. Mr. Hossain passionately highlighted Bangladesh’s growing economic landscape, He pointed out that with proper incentives, legal clarity, and diplomatic engagement, European investors could find Bangladesh not just an emerging market—but a long-term strategic partner. Mr. Hossain emphasized Bangladesh’s improving investment climate and welcomed ideas on building investor confidence and streamlining regulatory frameworks.
Then, we turned to the broader vision of strengthening diplomatic and economic communication between Europe and Bangladesh. Mr. Hossain proposed cultural exchanges, regular bilateral forums, and enhanced people-to-people contact as essential tools to foster long-term trust and engagement. We both agreed that mutual understanding is not built solely through policy—but also through shared values and dialogue.
As our discussion neared its close, we shifted to a topic of deep humanitarian concern: the Rohingya refugee crisis. Mr. Hossain shared updates on ongoing efforts to ensure peaceful, voluntary, and dignified repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar, under the watch of international frameworks. He expressed hope that the upcoming Rohingya Refugee Affairs Summit at the United Nations in September would mobilize global will and resources for a lasting resolution. We explored potential roles Europe could play in supporting Bangladesh diplomatically and logistically in this crucial humanitarian endeavor.
The meeting concluded with a deep dive into enhancing communication and bilateral relationships. Mr. Hossain proposed creating dedicated forums and digital platforms to facilitate regular dialogue between European embassies and Bangladeshi ministries, academia, and business leaders. “Sustained communication builds trust,” he said firmly, “and trust builds lasting partnerships.”
As we stood up to shake hands, I realized that our 30- minutes meeting had planted seeds for cooperation, innovation, and diplomacy—seeds that could shape stronger ties between Bangladesh and Europe in the years to come.