The European Union Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs, Magnus Brunner, paid a courtesy call on Bangladesh State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam at the Ministry in Dhaka.
The meeting was also attended by the Ambassador of the European Union to Bangladesh, Michael Miller, with discussions centering on migration management, returns, combating human trafficking, and migrant smuggling.
During the talks, State Minister Shama Obaed reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to safe, orderly, and regular migration. She urged the EU and its member states to expand opportunities for Bangladeshi skilled workers and professionals through practical, demand-driven, and results-oriented mobility corridors.
The State Minister also highlighted the government's adoption of the National Action Plan 2026-2030, aimed at implementing the objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration.
In response, EU Commissioner Brunner presented the bloc's Eastern Corridor Initiative, which seeks to combat irregular migration by engaging directly with countries of origin, transit countries, and various stakeholders.
Shama Obaed expressed Bangladesh's openness to this cooperation, detailing ongoing local measures against document fraud and criminal networks to prevent irregular migration, while reiterating the need to address root causes to facilitate regular pathways.
Concluding the meeting, both sides agreed to strengthen coordination and continue dialogue on shared priorities, alongside expanding trade and investment ties as part of a multifaceted partnership between Bangladesh and the European Union.
Why it matters
The high-level meeting strengthens bilateral migration management and trade cooperation between Bangladesh and the European Union.