Bangladesh and EU Initial Partnership Agreement to Boost Long-Term Strategic Cooperation

Bangladesh and the European Union have taken a major step toward strengthening bilateral relations by initialling a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in Brussels on April 20.

The agreement was initialled by Md Nazrul Islam on behalf of Bangladesh and Paola Pampaloni representing the EU. The ceremony was witnessed by Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman and the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, along with senior officials including Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir.

Officials described the PCA as a foundational framework that will guide long-term strategic engagement between Bangladesh and the EU. The agreement is expected to enhance cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including trade and investment, governance, human rights, climate change, energy, food security, transport, and technological innovation.

Diplomatic sources noted that this development marks a significant milestone, with Bangladesh poised to become the first South Asian country to establish such a comprehensive partnership agreement with the EU.

Negotiations for the PCA began in November 2024 in Dhaka and progressed through five rounds of formal discussions, along with several technical meetings held both in person and virtually. The final round, held earlier this year, focused on key areas such as legal cooperation, intellectual property rights, fisheries, customs, and broader economic collaboration.
 

The agreement is expected to further institutionalise Bangladesh-EU relations, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding cooperation and addressing global challenges through a structured and strategic partnership.