Bangladesh
Bangladesh-EU Government urges EU for legal employment of Bangladeshis in Europe
Dhaka, October 27: Bangladesh has proposed to the European Union to create legal employment in Europe for skilled and semi-skilled people from Bangladesh.
The proposal was made by Dhaka at the fourth diplomatic consultation meeting between Bangladesh and the European Union in Brussels on Tuesday (October 28th).
A joint statement issued after the meeting said that the EU was satisfied with the progress made in Bangladesh in implementing the Standard Operating Procedure for the repatriation of Bangladeshi nationals residing in Europe illegally under Article 25 of the Visa Code. At the same time, they have been asked to submit a report on the information provided to illegal Bangladeshis residing in Europe.
Foreign Secretary Masood bin Momen led the diplomatic consultation meeting on behalf of Dhaka. On the other hand, Gunnar Wiegand, Managing Director of the European Union's Asia and Pacific Region, led the EU.
At the meeting, Dhaka-EU agreed to increase cooperation in Indo-Pacific region including trade, immigration, human rights, Rohingya issue, climate, Covid-19 vaccine.
At the meeting, the EU presented a new strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The two sides discussed the political and security situation in the region, including Myanmar and Afghanistan, maritime security and counter-terrorism and cooperation in UN forums.
The joint statement said the meeting raised issues of democracy and human rights and digital security in Bangladesh on behalf of the EU. The EU has expressed concern over the Digital Security Act, saying that some provisions of the Act run the risk of going beyond the stated purpose of fighting digital crime and that the EU has investigated some ongoing trials in this regard. Bangladesh has made its statement in this regard. Both sides agreed on the need to strengthen democratic governance in the post-Covid recovery and condemned the recent violence and discrimination.
The meeting discussed the ongoing Covid-19 issue and post-Covid recovery. Bangladesh commended the EU for providing Covid-19 vaccines, especially medical equipment and vaccines under COVAX. At the same time, Bangladesh called for co-operation in producing vaccines at affordable prices for the benefit of universal and low- and middle-income countries.
The meeting discussed in detail about climate change. Both sides stressed the importance of nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement and the need for adequate funding for adaptation as well as mitigation.
