Bangladesh and the EU agree to launch a
comprehensive dialogue on migration.

During a visit to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh by Ylva Johansson,
European Commissioner for Home Affairs, 10-11 November 2022, the European Commissioner and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina jointly announced the launch of a comprehensive dialogue on migration.

The Prime Minister thanked the EU and its Member States for their support for Bangladesh nationals fleeing the war in Ukraine earlier this year.
The Commissioner also had meetings with the Bangladesh Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment.

On her mission, the Commissioner announced a further €3 million in funding for Rohingya humanitarian response which will be implemented by UNHCR to support activities on Bhasan Char. The EU reiterated its appreciation for the generous role and action of the Government and people of Bangladesh for temporarily hosting a million forcibly displaced Rohingya from Myanmar for more than five years.

Both the EU and the Government of Bangladesh stressed the need for voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya to Myanmar.

During the Commissioner’s visit, the Government of Bangladesh and the EU agreed to launch a comprehensive dialogue on migration-related issues.
This will encompass all relevant aspects of migration management, including legal pathways for migration to Europe andaddressing irregular migration & migrant smuggling and, continued enhanced cooperation on return and reintegration.

It was agreed to intensify preparations for the launch of a Talent Partnership with Bangladesh to facilitate working and living in the interested EU Member States for qualified Bangladeshi nationals.
The celebration of 50 years of EU-Bangladesh relations was officially launched with the unveiling of the anniversary logo.

Commissioner Johansson also met UN and civil society representatives and visited EU-supported projects implemented by IOM and BRAC in close cooperation with the Government of Bangladesh to assist in the sustainable reintegration of Bangladesh migrants returning from the EU Member States.

Reflecting on her visit, Commissioner Johansson remarked: “This is my first visit to Bangladesh. I am pleased to witness first-hand the dynamism that characterises our relations in so many fields. Building on the continued strong commitment and progress on return and reintegration of irregular migrants and enhanced cooperation on addressing irregular migration including migrant smuggling, we are taking forward our cooperation in key areas such as legal migration pathways for Bangladeshi citizens to live and work in Europe. There is much potential for broadening our engagement, including through the new
comprehensive migration dialogue.”

Her Bangladesh counterpart the Minister for Home Affairs said, “Bangladesh and the EU have multi-dimensional and ever-expanding engagements, including on issues of migration and trafficking in persons.

We are working together with the European Commission to bring back our verified nationals who are not authorised to stay in the EU Member States. We have urged the EU to create more legal pathways to migration for our nationals, and to uphold relevant humanitarian principles in dealing with migrants irrespective of their status. Our government stands ready to engage with our international partners in combating the menace of trafficking and related transnational crimes. We hope the Migration Dialogue with the EU will help further advance such cooperation.”

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