PM Hasina's Brussels visit significant in this crucial time ahead of elections: Momen

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has described Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's upcoming visit to Brussels, where she will attend the Global Gateway Forum on 24-26 October, as "extremely significant" ahead of the general elections.

The visit is expected to elevate Bangladesh's relations with the European Union to new heights, he said at a press conference on Sunday arranged to brief journalists on the visit.

"This visit holds great significance for us. It's a noteworthy achievement. We hope the visit will be very successful and fruitful," said Momen, emphasising that the visit is taking place at a "crucial time".

"Crucial time means we have elections ahead. We don't have the luxury to go elsewhere at the moment. Our focus is on touring our regions," he explained.

"Our voters are what we value the most…We are answerable to them. That's why those of us who are in office are dedicating our time to visiting our constituencies whenever possible. The value of time is now exceptionally high," he explained, emphasising, "While it may seem challenging for foreign affairs, our top priority is the public."

The prime minister will attend the Global Gateway Forum, which will bring together representatives of governments from the European Union and around the world along with the private sector, civil society, leading thinkers, financing institutions, and international organisations.

She will hold bilateral meetings with European Commission Vice President and European Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday.

After the bilateral meeting, a loan support agreement of €350 million for the renewable energy sector will be signed between the Bangladesh government's Economic Relations Department and the European Investment Bank.

Besides, a grant agreement of €45 million for Bangladesh's renewable energy sector will be signed. And a €12 million grant agreement between the Bangladesh government and the European Commission is also to be signed for Bangladesh's renewable energy sector.

The European Investment Bank has already expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh's climate change and renewable energy sectors.

"This agreement is expected to pave the way for further investment by the bank in Bangladesh. During this visit, five separate grant agreements of €70 million will be signed between the Bangladesh government and the European Commission in the social sector of Bangladesh," said Momen.

Responding to a question, the foreign minister said the EU will send a seven-member team and Bangladesh will not spend money on foreign election observers.

In December 2021, the EU unveiled the Global Gateway initiative with the goal of establishing smart, eco-friendly, and secure digital technology infrastructure in key sectors such as energy, transport, health, education, and research worldwide.

As part of this initiative, the EU, its member states, and other partners have committed to investing a total of 300 billion euros between 2021 and 2027 in these priority sectors.

On 26 October, Sheikh Hasina will hold bilateral meetings with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel.

In the afternoon of the same day, she is expected to attend a civic reception hosted by Bangladeshi expatriates living in Belgium.

The PM will deliver her speech at the opening plenary session of the Global Gateway Forum, which will be held for the first time.

She will also hold a meeting with European Investment Bank President Dr Werner Hoyer, Momen said.

European Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič, and Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen will separately meet the prime minister.

She will attend a dinner to be hosted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

She is scheduled to leave for Brussels on Tuesday morning on a commercial flight with Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

She will leave Brussels on Thursday night and arrive in Dhaka on Friday, said Momen, who will accompany the premier.

In addition, the information and broadcasting minister, the PM's private industry and investment adviser, as well as the state ministers for foreign affairs and power, energy, and mineral resources, will also be part of the premier's delegation.