Bangladesh and Italy to tackle irregular migration

Bangladesh and Italy work together to tackle irregular migration, human trafficking and migrant exploitation as EU countries have promised to expedite the visa process for Bangladeshi workers.

Vice Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, Maria Tripodi, met with Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain at the latter's office in the city on Wednesday.
On the issue of migration, both sides commended the contribution of the Bangladeshi diaspora in Italy to both economies. They prioritised the need for expanding legal migration pathways while affirming joint efforts to tackle irregular migration, human trafficking and migrant exploitation. As raised by the Foreign Adviser with deep concern, the Vice-Minister assured expedited decisions on long-pending visa applications of Bangladeshi workers, according to a press release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.     

Referring to the warm bilateral relations since 1972, Vice Minister Tripodi conveyed the Italian Government's firm support to the Interim Government of Bangladesh and appreciated its ongoing reform initiatives towards building a peaceful Bangladesh. She expressed satisfaction over the trade relations between the two countries and further desired to expand cooperation, particularly in the textile and defence sectors.     
The Foreign Adviser welcomed the Vice Minister to Dhaka on her first visit.
Based on the dynamic economic relations between Bangladesh and Italy, he opted for more Italian investment, especially in the greenfield sectors. He also apprised that the present government, particularly BIDA, is working relentlessly to create a better business environment in Bangladesh by simplifying the processes for foreign investors. He highlighted that Bangladesh wants to diversify its sourcing for defence materials and welcomed Italian interest in contributing to the modernisation of Bangladesh's defence sector.

Vice Minister Tripodi lauded Bangladesh's generous hosting of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas in Cox's Bazar and reiterated the continued humanitarian and political support of Italy. Pointing to the present political situation in Myanmar with control of non-state actors in the bordering area, the Foreign Adviser is concerned over the complex challenges Bangladesh is facing. Sustainable return of the Rohingyas to their homeland, Myanmar, is the only solution to this problem, he emphasised.   
The Italian Vice Minister is paying a 2-day-long official visit to Bangladesh. This is the first ministerial visit from any EU country since the formation of the Interim Government.
After arriving at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport yesterday afternoon, Abul Hasan Mridha, Director General (West Europe and EU), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, warmly received her.