Italy reaffirms support for Bangladesh’s political, economic reforms
Italy to expedite decisions on long-pending visa applications of Bangladeshis, says vice minister
Italian Vice Minister for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi has reaffirmed firm support of the Italian government for the Bangladesh interim government in its efforts to carry forward the ongoing reform initiatives.
Tripodi announced her support when she met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in the capital today (19 February) to discuss issues of mutual interest, reports BSS.
"We hope you will be successful with the reforms. As our Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni mentioned to you at the UNGA, you can always count on us," she told the chief adviser.
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"Italy and Bangladesh are very close. Many Bangladeshi citizens live in Italy. They play an important role in our country," she said while urging Bangladesh to work hand-in-hand to stop illegal migration.
Professor Muhammad Yunus prioritised the need for expanding legal migration, saying that Bangladesh was working hard to stop human trafficking and increase attempts to send more skilled people abroad in formal channels.
The chief adviser praised Tripodi for undertaking the visit at a historic time when the interim government was trying to take Bangladesh towards political and economic stability after the student-led mass uprising in July, which ended years of misrule.
"Your visit came at a historic time. This is a very important time for us right after what happened in July," he said.
Tripodi also said that Italy would not stop their development support for Bangladeshi people and Rohingya.
She said many Italian companies were interested in investing in Bangladesh, highlighting the textile, energy, and defence sectors as potential areas of cooperation.
Prof Yunus urged Italy to relocate their factories to Bangladesh and engage youths in exchange programmes between the two countries.
Meanwhile, the Italian vice minister has assured of expedited decisions on long-pending visa applications of Bangladeshi workers.
She gave the assurance while calling on Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the capital yesterday, reads a press release.
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.
