BD, EU discuss ways to deepen co-op

Bangladesh and the European Union discussed ways to further deepen cooperation in trade and investment, including early progress towards formal negotiations on a Bangladesh-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), with a view to strengthening long-term economic ties.

The issues were discussed on Wednesday when Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Bangladesh Michael Miller paid a courtesy call on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

They also exchanged views on migration management, the aviation sector and sustainable development, among other issues.

Ambassador of Bhutan to Bangladesh Dasho Karma Hamu Dorjee also called on State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Bhutanese ambassador congratulated the state minister on his appointment.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral issues of mutual interest. The state minister expressed Bangladesh’s keen interest in contributing to the development of Bhutan’s Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC), particularly by providing professionals and skilled and semi-skilled human resources.

Recalling the vision of late President Ziaur Rahman, the state minister requested Bhutan’s support for the revitalisation of SAARC for the collective benefit of the region and its people.

Later, the state minister held a meeting with Dr Ahmed Jamsheed Mohamed, Representative of the World Health Organization (WHO).

During the meeting, the state minister and the WHO representative discussed matters of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on strengthening cooperation in public health, health security, disease prevention and access to essential health services.