Law Minister seeks EU’s continuous support to make LDC graduation smooth

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq on Monday said Bangladesh sought European Union’s (EU) constant support to make its graduation smooth and sustainable from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.

“Bangladesh stands grateful for Team Europe’s donation of vaccines for addressing the Covid-19 pandemic and mobilising finances for vaccine procurement and livelihood support. In a similar vein, we look forward to the EU’s continued support to make our LDC graduation smooth and sustainable,” he said.

The minister said this while addressing as guest of honour at the Europe Day, 2022, reception hosted by the European Union delegation to Bangladesh, at Hotel Le Meridien, Dhaka, in the evening.

Presided over by EU Head of Delegation Ambassador Charles Whiteley, the function was also attended by many local and foreign dignitaries.

Acknowledging EU’s “meaningful support in both bilateral and multilateral contexts in response to the Rohingya crisis,” the Law Minister said, “We count on the EU’s proactive role in promoting the safe, dignified and voluntary return of these forcibly displaced people to their homes in Myanmar at the earliest.”

“We are pleased to witness the gradual transformation of our bilateral relations beyond the traditional spheres to embrace emerging issues like climate change, circular economy, connectivity, sound human mobility, maritime security and space technologies. Our time-tested partnership with the EU is indeed poised to enter into the phase of strategic engagements, in tune with the EU’s renewed cooperation approach to the Indo-Pacific,” he added.

Anisul Huq also said the underlying basis of Bangladesh’s ties with the EU lies in the shared commitment to the international rule of law and Bangladesh has always found it comfortable to work with the EU in advancing the mutual priorities in a consensus-driven manner.