First round of PCA negotiations between Bangladesh, EU begins

The first round of negotiations on the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Bangladesh and the European Union (EU) kicked off in the EU Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium yesterday. The PCA aims to provide a comprehensive and robust framework for Bangladesh-EU relations with a view to enhancing cooperation in multifarious sectors while guiding the future interactions in the face of new global realities and emerging challenges, the Ministry of Foreign affairs said today.

Md Nazrul Islam, secretary (East) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led the Bangladesh delegation to the first round of discussions as the chief negotiator while the EU side was led by Paola Pampaloni, deputy managing director of the EU’s Asia and Pacific Division at the European External Action Service.

Khandker Masudul Alam, head of mission of Bangladesh to the EU, also attended the negotitations. Additionally, representatives from different ministries, divisions, agencies of the government of Bangladesh joined the discussion both in person and online.

The first-round talks focused on a range of topics outlining mutual interests and aspirations for a more engaging and meaningful partnership between Bangladesh and the EU.

The issues, among others, included trade and investment, governance, climate action, digital transformation, connectivity, health, education, agriculture, migration, skills development, sustainable development, human rights, humanitarian action, terrorism, and peace and security.

Both parties agreed to continue engaging in constructive dialogue and aimed to conclude the PCA negotiations by the year 2026.

The next round of talks is expected to take place in Dhaka at a mutually convenient time.

The commencement of the first round underscores the commitment of both parties to elevate their partnership, aiming to position Bangladesh as the first South Asian nation to ink a PCA with the EU, the foreign ministry said.