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Bangladesh, EU discuss legal migration, human trafficking and Rohingya crisis

Published : Monday, 12 October, 2026 at 6:15 PM

Observer Online Report

Bangladesh and the European Union (EU) have discussed preventing irregular migration and human trafficking, expanding legal employment opportunities for skilled workers and strengthening border security, alongside efforts to resolve the Rohingya crisis.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed held a meeting with a high-level EU delegation led by European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner at the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday.

Salahuddin said the government had adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards irregular migration and was committed to working with the EU to prevent human trafficking through dangerous and illegal routes and protect prospective migrants.

He said Bangladesh wanted to reduce irregular migration to zero and create opportunities to send fully documented, skilled workers to the European labour market.

Praising the strategic partnership and cooperation with Bangladesh, Brunner said preventing human trafficking and closing irregular migration routes were priorities for both sides. Reducing irregular migration would make it easier for Bangladeshi workers to enter Europe's labour market through legal channels, he added.

The meeting also discussed international-standard training and certification for Bangladeshi workers under the Talent Partnership project to accelerate legal migration.

Salahuddin said around 750 skilled workers had faced complications in obtaining European certification. He invited training experts from EU member states to visit Bangladesh to provide direct training and certification, and the EU delegation responded positively.

The minister also said an Advanced Passenger Information and Border Management System would be introduced at the country's airports, seaports and land ports by the end of this year to monitor passenger movements and identify criminals. The system will be connected to the Interpol database.

The two sides also discussed establishing a direct institutional arrangement between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency to strengthen border management and technological capacity.

On the Rohingya crisis, Salahuddin called for stronger international pressure, saying uncontrolled population growth and recent regional instability had made the crisis a serious threat to regional and global security, not just Bangladesh.

He sought the EU's active cooperation in putting effective international pressure on Myanmar authorities and the Arakan Army to ensure the safe, voluntary and dignified repatriation of Rohingya people to their homeland. The EU delegation assured him of joint diplomatic efforts on the issue.

Other members of the delegation included EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, Director Henrik Nielsen, Cabinet member Grigorios Delavekouras and EU Deputy Head of Mission Baiba Zarina.

Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs Dr Ziauddin Ahmed and senior officials from the home and foreign ministries were also present at the meeting.

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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

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