EU delegation arrives in Dhaka for talks on migration and trade

A European Union delegation has arrived in Dhaka today (8 September) to take part in the regular Bangladesh-EU dialogue on mobility and migration, scheduled to begin tomorrow (9 September) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain will lead the Bangladesh side, while Michael Shotter, director at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs, will lead the EU delegation in the talks.

The issue of irregular migration to EU countries remains a major concern.

Sources in Dhaka and Brussels said Bangladesh needs to strengthen dialogue with the EU to encourage safe, organised and regular migration. 

Reports from the International Organisation for Migration show that Bangladeshis accounted for the largest number of irregular arrivals in Europe during the first six months of this year.

Diplomatic sources noted that Bangladesh missions in several European countries lack proper documentation of citizens living there, both regular and irregular.

In the past, Brussels has handed Dhaka lists of undocumented Bangladeshis and sought cooperation in addressing the matter.

EU countries have also sent back Bangladeshis over the last three decades, urging the government to prioritise safe migration.

Several diplomats who served in Brussels said that previous governments in Dhaka did not adequately address irregular migration, which in turn restricted the scope for regular migration.

"The genuine visa seekers will continue to suffer unless the government becomes serious with Brussels on this issue," one diplomat said.

Italy remains a key destination for Bangladeshi workers.

Antonio Alessandro, ambassador of Italy to Bangladesh, told TBS, "Italy is proud to host the largest Bangladeshi community in continental Europe. The last available figure shows that some 250,000 Bangladeshis are living in Italy. It contributes significantly to the well-being of Italy and is also an important source of remittances for Bangladesh, with 1.2 billion euros transferred in 2022."

The European Union has been strengthening its external border management and migration controls, while pursuing partnerships with countries of origin and transit to curb irregular migration.

Beyond migration, the EU will also send election monitoring and parliamentary delegations in the coming weeks.

A team led by French MEP Monir Satori will visit in the third week of September for discussions on human rights.

The delegation is expected to meet political parties, civil society representatives, media, and NGOs.

The Election Commission has already outlined its roadmap for the 13th parliamentary election, scheduled for early February 2026.

On the economic front, the EU remains Bangladesh's largest trading partner, accounting for half of all exports under the Everything But Arms scheme since 2001.

In 2024, total trade stood at €22 billion (approximately Tk3 lakh crore), with EU exports to Bangladesh amounting to €2 billion, leaving a significant surplus in Bangladesh's favour.

EuroCham Bangladesh, meanwhile, has urged the interim government to ensure equal treatment of European companies as Dhaka considers new trade concessions to the United States.

"EuroCham encourages the Government to reaffirm its commitment to a rules-based trading system and pursue reforms, while ensuring fair treatment for all trading partners," said its Chairperson, Nuria Lopez.

Officials in Dhaka said the EU recognises the complex domestic political situation but does not intend to intervene directly.

"The EU understands that the government has to navigate a difficult path and prefers to let it manage its affairs without much external involvement," said a foreign ministry official.