Bangladesh has sought Belgium’s support through the European Union (EU) to its bid for the GSP+ beyond 2029 and for an additional six years international support measures (ISP) for countries in transition in the context of Bangladesh’s LDC graduation in 2026.
The Belgian side assured due consideration in this regard.
Bangladesh and Belgium held the second political consultations on Sunday and discussed the issues.
Additional Foreign Secretary (Bilateral-East and West) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Md Nazrul Islam led the Bangladesh delegation at the consultations, while Director General (Bilateral Affairs) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Development Cooperation of Belgium Jeroen Cooreman led the Belgian delegation.
Non-resident Ambassador of Belgium to Bangladesh Didier Vanderhasselt and representatives from different Ministries of the Government of Bangladesh also joined the consultations.
The discussion kicked off with a brief discussion on the student-led mass uprising in July and August this year and priorities of the Interim government including restoring law and order, bringing the economy back on track, and systemic reform of the state institutions, among others.
Ambassador Islam thanked Belgium for reiterating their support in expressing readiness to engage with the interim government.
The Bangladesh co-chair also recalled Queen Mathilde’s visit to Bangladesh during February 2023 when she visited Rohingya camps and appreciated Belgium’s continued support towards a resolution of Rohingya crisis.
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In this regard, the co-chair apprised of the Hon’ble Chief Adviser’s letter to the UNSG, requesting an all-stakeholder meeting in early 2025.
Belgium shared that there is growing diverse interests from Belgian businesses about Bangladesh, not only as an export destination but also as a manufacturing sourcing point to invest in Bangladesh by Belgian entrepreneurs Both parties also expressed hope of cooperation in cancer research under the auspices of an MOU between NICRH-BD and Bordet Cancer Institute-BE.
Both the parties agreed to work together in dealing with improving human rights condition, the existential thereat of climate change in a sustainable manner while implementing loss and damage funding responsibilities.
The discussions also covered issues related to the Indo-Pacific, the war in Ukraine and the atrocities committed during the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Both sides agreed that the Bangladesh-Belgium 3rd Political Consultations would take place in Brussels at a mutually convenient date in 2025.