The Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, Dr. Khalilur Rahman, visited Brussels on 20 April 2026. He was joined by Humaiun Kobir, Adviser to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on Foreign Affairs.
The visit marked a significant milestone in Bangladesh-EU relations as the two sides initialled the Bangladesh–EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).
On the occasion, Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman and the EU High Representative and Vice-President Ms. Kaja Kallas witnessed the initialing of the PCA. Addressing the media, both sides described the Agreement as a forward-looking and comprehensive framework that will elevate Bangladesh–EU relations across the political, economic, development, and security domains, while strengthening cooperation on regional and global issues of shared interest.
During their meeting at the European External Action Service Headquarters, the two leaders appreciated the longstanding and trusted partnership between Bangladesh and the European Union and reaffirmed their commitment to further advancing this relationship.
The Foreign Minister briefed the EU HR/VP on Bangladesh’s recent democratic developments and on the government’s ongoing reform, reconstruction, and development efforts under the leadership of Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman. He thanked Ms. Kallas for sending a strong election observation mission to Bangladesh during the recent parliamentary elections. Ms. Kallas highly appreciated Bangladesh for very successful and credible elections.
Both sides underscored the importance of deepening cooperation across all possible domains, including in trade and investment, regional cooperation, migration and mobility, and humanitarian issues.
The Foreign Minister highlighted predictable market access as key priority of Bangladesh, and stressed the need to move toward stronger and more durable economic partnership arrangements with the EU. He also emphasized Bangladesh’s interest in advancing discussions on a Bangladesh–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and an Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) at the soonest.
Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman thanked the EU for its support for Rohingya humanitarian operations and sought their continued engagement for a sustainable solution of the protracted problem.
Later, the Foreign Minister held a bilateral meeting with Mr. Maxime Prévot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of Belgium. The meeting reviewed the state of Bangladesh–Belgium relations and explored avenues for enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, innovation, and multilateral engagement. The two sides agreed to hold 3rd Bangladesh -Belgium Consultations in Brussels later this year.
Foreign Minister Dr. Rahman reiterated Bangladesh’s desire to further deepen bilateral ties with Belgium as a valued partner. He encouraged greater engagement by Belgian businesses and institutions in Bangladesh, particularly in areas where Belgium has recognized strengths, including logistics, port management, biotech and pharmaceuticals, technology, and water management. The two sides also exchanged views on migration and mobility, visa and consular matters, and the Rohingya humanitarian situation.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation and deepening engagement in multilateral plane.
The Foreign Minister further met Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, and discussed expanding Bangladesh–EU cooperation in research, science, technology, innovation, and start-ups. The discussions focused on opportunities for collaboration under Horizon Europe, as well as in artificial intelligence, digital innovation, energy efficiency and sustainable development. They also discussed to to develop a framework for sustained future engagement.
In addition to Mr. Humaiun Kobir, Adviser to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on Foreign Affairs; the Foreign Minister of Bangladesh was accompanied by Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ms. Nahida Sobhan, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to Geneva; and Mr. Khandker Masudul Alam, Ambassador of Bangladesh to Belgium and Head of Mission to the EU during the meetings.
