United News of Bangladesh

European leaders on Monday said US President Donald Trump’s sudden decision to pull thousands of American troops from Germany came as a surprise, but also reinforces the idea that Europe must take more responsibility for its own security. The Pentagon last week announced plans to withdraw about 5,000 troops from Germany. However, Trump later told reporters that the reduction would be much larger, saying, “we’re going to cut way down. And we’re cutting a lot further than 5,000,” without giving further details. The move caught NATO allies off guard. It comes amid rising tensions between Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz over the US-Israeli war on Iran, as well as Trump’s frustration over what he sees as limited European involvement in Middle East conflicts. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre downplayed concerns about the scale of the withdrawal. Speaking in Yerevan, where European leaders are attending a summit, he said Europe is expected to take greater responsibility for its own security. “I wouldn’t exaggerate that because I think we are expecting that Europe is taking more charge of its own security,” he said, adding that the issue should be managed “in a harmonious way inside the framework of NATO.” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said troop withdrawal discussions from Europe have been ongoing, but the timing of the announcement was unexpected. “This shows that we really need to strengthen the European pillar in NATO,” she said. Asked whether Trump’s decision was aimed at punishing Merz after his criticism of US handling of Iran negotiations, Kallas said she could not speculate on the US president’s intentions. “I don’t see into the head of President Trump, so he has to explain it himself,” she said. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said the alliance is working with Washington to understand the details of the planned changes to US troop deployment in Germany. European allies and Canada have been aware since Trump returned to office that US forces could be reduced in Europe. Some troops were already withdrawn from Romania in October. However, US officials had previously said any changes would be coordinated with NATO to avoid security gaps. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte downplayed the impact of the move, noting some US dissatisfaction with European support for the Iran conflict. France, Spain and the United Kingdom have limited US use of their military bases for operations related to Iran, while Spain has also restricted airspace access. Rutte said European countries had taken note of Washington’s concerns and were acting accordingly. He added that some nations were positioning military assets closer to potential areas of operation, though he gave no details. European officials have also said they would not take part in policing the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route, until the conflict ends.

Chief observer of European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Ivars Ijabs on Tuesday identified six priority recommendations for Bangladesh, noting that more efforts are needed to foster accountability and electoral inclusion. “Now, it is time to turn the focus to the reform process to strengthen transparency and rule of law, to show political will in promoting women in public and political life and to foster an environment for a pluralistic and secure public debate, both online and offline,” Ijabs said at a press briefing at a city hotel in the afternoon. Women candidates were almost absent from these elections, signaling a lack of political will to promote women in decision making positions, said the Mission. Ijabs said the European Union stands ready to support Bangladesh in those efforts, in line with the recently initialled Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, and reaffirming their unwavering commitment to democratic principles. "In this spirit, we offer our final report, and its 19 recommendations with the hope of contributing positively to future elections in Bangladesh," he told reporters, noting that the work of improving and refining electoral process remains an essential ongoing exercise in any country also here in Bangladesh. The chief observer said they are looking forward to discussing these recommendations with the national stakeholders, as it is essential to continue an inclusive dialogue in the next steps, to strengthen democracy, and uphold the rule of law, and build public trust. “These credible and competently managed elections marked a pivotal step toward restoring democratic governance and the rule of law, reflecting a shared commitment to democratic processes among all stakeholders," Ijabs said. Although elections bolstered public trust, legal and procedural gaps remain, signaling the need to continue the reform process in line with the July National Charter and beyond, he said, adding that the European Union stands ready to support national partners in implementing these recommendations. "The work of our mission is now finished, but let me assure you that the European Union Delegation here remains committed to working with Bangladeshi partners on the democratic processes," said the chief observer. Six Priority Recommendations The EU EOM has put forward six priority recommendations and those include a comprehensive revision of electoral legal framework, introduction of robust campaign financing rules and oversight, introduction of affirmative action to enhance women participation in public and political right, as well as wide-ranging reforms to promote a safe digital environment. The mission also recommended the EC take steps to ensure transparency throughout all stages of the vote tabulation and to consider extending eligibility for postal voting to other categories of voters. The report called for revising the legal framework governing parliamentary elections to address inconsistencies and loopholes, reduce fragmentation, strengthen legal certainty, and ensure closer alignment with international standards for democratic elections.  Ensuring consistent arrangements for maintaining transparency during the tabulation of votes at the sub-district and district levels, such as projection of data entry on screens, as well as prompt publication of complete preliminary and final election results, including online, are among the five others priority recommendations. The report called for amending the Representation of the People Order (RPO) to include strict monitoring and enforcement measures for implementation of Article 90B(1)(b)(ii), ensuring that all political parties achieve the goal of 33 per cent women as members of all internal party committees by 2030; and consider requiring that all political parties nominate at least one-third women candidates for national and local elections. The report also called for promoting a safer and more transparent digital space by amending the Cyber Security Ordinance to establish binding legal obligations for social media platforms, aimed at safeguarding informational and electoral integrity. Those obligations may encompass defined collaboration protocols, special measures around elections, algorithmic transparency, and regular reporting on content moderation activities. In its fifth priority recommendation, the report called for reviewing and strengthening campaign finance provisions to ensure that spending limits and reporting obligations are realistic, enforceable and subject to effective verification and oversight. The RPO could require candidates and political parties to submit audited election expenditure accounts in a standardised format, provide for systematic controls by the Election Commission during and after the campaign, and set clear deadlines for the publication of financial reports. The report recommended considering extending eligibility for postal voting to other categories of voters in Bangladesh who are unable to cast their ballot in person on election day, such as homebound voters and persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, migrant labourers and students, while retaining existing integrity safeguards and exploring additional ones. Additional voting arrangements, such as early voting, suitable for enfranchising other categories of voters could also be introduced. The report is based on a two-month-long, country-wide observation and offers a detailed analysis and assessment of the entire electoral process. As part of this report, the mission offered 19 recommendations aimed at reinforcing the integrity of future electoral processes, in line with Bangladesh’s international commitments to democratic elections. The mission noted several positive developments, attesting to the resilience of Bangladesh’s democracy. The renewed legal framework was largely aligned with international standards for democratic elections, the Bangladesh Election Commission (EC) worked professionally, demonstrated openness and successfully enfranchised some 770,000 voters living abroad. The Electoral Enquiry and Adjudication Committees were pro-active in upholding the campaign rules. The mission also saw a revitalised civic space and took note of important national initiatives to counter disinformation. The inconsistent enforcement of the EC’s campaign regulations and limited accountability and oversight in campaign finance laws contributed to an uneven playing field, the EU team said. Incidents of digital-led violence and harassment alongside inadequate police protection curbed media freedom and social media platforms appeared ill-prepared to safeguard digital information integrity. The EU EOM was present in Bangladesh between 28 December 2025 to 4 March 2026, at full strength comprising 223 international observers from all EU Member States, Canada, Norway and Switzerland, deployed to all 64 administrative districts of Bangladesh.

The European Union (EU) is providing €175 000 in humanitarian funding to support efforts to prevent measles in Bangladesh. This funding will benefit communities in Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Rangpur, Mymensingh, said the EU Embassy in Dhaka on Monday. This EU funding will be provided to the Bangladesh Red Crescent to facilitate and sustain ongoing vaccinations’ campaigns and carry out other prevention activities, such as distributing hygiene kits. The most vulnerable families will also receive cash grants to help them face illness-related costs, such as transport to health centres or loss of income due to caring responsibilities. It is also foreseen the delivery of medical equipment to healthcare facilities. The funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The EU remains a leading humanitarian donor in Bangladesh. In 2026, the EU is providing more than €23 million already allocated this year for humanitarian partners in the country. This includes €16.4 million in humanitarian aid to provide life-saving assistance to Rohingya refugees living in the country, mostly in Cox’s Bazar, as well as the host communities; while €7 million is dedicated to support disaster preparedness, and disaster risk reduction and resilience efforts in Bangladesh. The EU and its Member States are the world’s leading donor of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity with people in need all around the world. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises. The EU is signatory to a €12 million humanitarian delegation agreement with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Federation’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF)

Chief observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) Ivars Ijabs on Sunday shared a final report with Bangladesh including recommendations for improving future elections. He met Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, and presented the mission’s final report and recommendations. The final report is based on a long-term, independent observation of the electoral process across all 64 districts of Bangladesh, while the 19 recommendations offered by the EU EOM aim at reinforcing the integrity of future elections, officials told UNB. The Chief Observer expressed hope that those recommendations will be considered by all relevant stakeholders, including Bangladesh Parliament. The Chief Observer, the Head of EU Delegation to Bangladesh, Ambassador Michael Miller and the Speaker of the Parliament also discussed the new avenues for cooperation between the EU and Bangladesh that has opened and the support the EU is ready to offer in the implementation of these recommendations. The Chief observer is scheduled to hold a press conference on Tuesday at a city hotel. The EU EOM has been present in Bangladesh since the end of 2025 and on election day - February 22 - comprised 223 international observers, drawn from all EU Member States, as well as Canada, Norway and Switzerland, deployed across all 64 administrative districts. The EU EOM presented the mission's preliminary statement on the 12 February parliamentary elections on February 14. The 2026 parliamentary elections were described as "credible and competently managed, marking a pivotal step" towards restoring democratic governance and rule of law. "This historic contest was genuinely competitive, with fundamental freedoms broadly respected. The electoral legal framework largely accords with international standards, while the Bangladesh Election Commission worked independently and transparently, maintaining the confidence of stakeholders and lending integrity to the polls,” said Chief Observer Ijabs. Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Michael Miller on Saturday said last week they saw the 'initialling' of the new Bangladesh-EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). "And this coming week sees the return visit of our Chief Observer from our Election Observation Mission, as well as the holding of EU Bangladesh diplomatic consultations," said the Ambassador in a video shared by the EU Embassy, marking the 600th day in Bangladesh for him and his family in Bangladesh. Ambassador Miller said he will also speak at events dealing with human rights and judicial reforms. 
"And next week, I'm looking forward to travelling by train from Dhaka to the beautiful region of Sreemangal," he said.

Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Michael Miller has said energy security is a defining issue, which is why the European Union (EU) and Bangladesh are accelerating efforts to deploy renewable energy as a strategic priority. "What we see today is our shared determination to ensure energy security and investability for Bangladesh," said the Ambassador while speaking at a high-level event in Dhaka titled “Boosting Renewable Energy in Bangladesh – From Design to Implementation.” He said the Bangladesh Renewable EnergyFacility is a flagship initiative of the EU’s Global Gateway, which promotes the development of secure, sustainable and trusted networks and links with our partners around the globe. The event hosted by the European Union bank, the European Investment Bank (EIB), in partnership with the European Union Delegation and the Power Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy & Mineral Resources (MoPEMR) on Monday brought together senior representatives from the Government of Bangladesh, the European Union, the European Investment Bank (EIB), Team Europe, other international partners, financial institutions, regulators, and the private sector. It was organised under the Bangladesh Renewable Energy Facility (BREF), an EU Global Gateway flagship in the energy sector that is accelerating large-scale renewable energy investments to advance Bangladesh’s energy security, climate targets and green transition, said the EU Embassy in Dhaka on Tuesday. The EU financial contribution for the public sector amounts to €395 million, combining a €350 million sovereign EU-guaranteed EIB loan with an EU blending grant of €45 million, including €6 million to ensure the bankability and de-risking of a major pipeline of projects. Additional financing is being provided by Germany (€50 million plus €1.5 million TA grant). BREF will leverage around €700 million in total investments in wind and solar energy. It will deliver up to 750 MWp of new renewable capacity, improve grid resilience and decentralisation, and promote innovation in areas such as dual land use (energy and agriculture) and battery energy storage systems. Michal Krejza, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Bangladesh delivered welcome remarks at the event. Nur Ahmed, Additional Secretary (Planning), Power Division, highlighted that thecollaboration between the government, the European Union, the European Investment Bank, and Team Europe reflects a shared commitment to delivering a clean, secure, and resilient energy future. "Such cooperation is essential to mobilise the scale of investment, expertise, and technical support required." Michael Steidl, Head of Regional Representation to South Asia, EIB, said the EIB is proud to be supporting Bangladesh’s journey to a low-carbon energy future. "The Bangladesh Renewable Energy Facility is a cornerstone for the country’s green energy transition, bringing together significant European investment and partnership. The Technical Assistance component is especially crucial; it ensures that projects are well-prepared, bankable, and meet the highest technical, environmental, and social standard.” Dr. Rüdiger Lotz, Ambassador of Germany to Bangladesh, said the BangladeshRenewable Energy Facility (BREF) represents a landmark collaboration in the energy sector between the Government of Bangladesh, the European Union (EU), and its member states - and of course for Germany. "I therefore wholeheartedly encourage you to move forward boldly and harness the power of solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources.” The event featured a presentation on the Bangladesh Renewable Energy Facility (BREF) and its Technical Assistance (BREF-TA), which is designed to accelerate large-scale renewable energy investments and support Bangladesh’s climate commitments. Dr. Andreas Wiese, Managing Director of GOPA Tech and lead partner of the BREF-TAConsultant Consortium, said as the lead partner of the Consortium delivering Technical Assistance for the Bangladesh Renewable Energy Facility, GOPA Tech is proud to support Bangladesh’s ambitious journey toward a sustainable energy future. "Through BREF-TA, we are committed to providing hands-on expertise and practical solutions that help projects reach bankability, foster innovation, and strengthen institutional capacity."

European Union (EU) Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, where Miller led an EU delegation, said a PMO release. During the meeting, the Prime Minister and the EU Ambassador discussed issues of mutual interest, including strengthening bilateral relations. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir were present at the meeting.

The European Union’s apparel import sector has started the year 2026 on a dull note, recording a double-digit decline in value as major global suppliers, including Bangladesh, face significant negative growth.According to the latest data from Eurostat, the EU's total apparel imports fell by 15.48 percent in January 2026 compared to the same month last year, with total import values dropping to €7.03 billion. This downturn was driven by an 8.36 percent decline in import volume (million kg) and a 7.76 percent decrease in average unit prices.Bangladesh, one of the EU's primary garment sources, experienced a particularly challenging month. The country’s apparel exports to the EU fell to €1.43 billion in January 2026, marking a sharp 25.25 percent negative growth in value.Analysis of the data reveals that this decline was a "double blow" in terms of both volume and price. Bangladesh saw a 17.49 percent decrease in the quantity of goods shipped, coupled with a 9.41 percent drop in the unit price per kilogram. This significant contraction highlights a cooling demand or shifting dynamics within the EU market for Bangladeshi Ready-Made Garment (RMG) products. Other major manufacturing hubs also mirrored this downward trend, though to varying degrees.China remained the top exporter with €2.22 billion, but still saw a 6.90 percent decline in value. Interestingly, while their unit prices dropped by 8.01 percent, their export volume actually grew slightly by 1.21 percent.Turkey faced a severe hit with a 29.12 percent decrease in export value, totaling €619.98 million.Other countries like India, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Cambodia all remained in negative territory, reflecting a broad-based slowdown in the European fashion retail market.Mohiuddin Rubel, a former director of BGMEA, noted that the overall decline in unit prices (averaging €18.63/kg for the "World" category) indicates a highly competitive, price-sensitive environment in the EU. For Bangladesh, the decrease in unit price to €13.66/kg—which is significantly lower than the global average—indicates ongoing pressure on profit margins for local manufacturers.As the year progresses, Bangladeshi exporters will be closely watching if this January slump is a temporary seasonal adjustment or a sign of more persistent economic headwinds in the Eurozone.

Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Bangladesh Michael Miller on Monday said the EU is the country’s most reliable and largest commercial partner, as well as a highly significant political ally for the new government. "We look forward to launching a new chapter and intensification in the EU-Bangladesh relations," he told reporters after their meetings with Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Ambassador Miller said the EU is Bangladesh’s most reliable partner, largest commercial partner, biggest investor, a very significant provider of assistance, and a very significant political partner of the newly elected government. Responding to a question, Ambassador Miller said they are very near to finalising the Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA). "We do hope we will be in a position to sign it with Bangladesh in the nearest possible future." The Ambassador said they came to the MoFA collectively with the Ambassadors of the European countries as Bangladesh's most reliable partner. He said they discussed the very broad nature of Bangladesh -EU relations – trade, development, humanitarian issues and migration. Ambassador Miller said they look forward to exploring the full potential of the EU-Bangladesh relations. He said the European Union looks forward to the new government of Bangladesh continuing with a series of reforms that were launched under the previous interim government. “We look forward to the putting in place of judicial reforms, of the commercial courts, of work to introduce regularity into migration management,” said the EU envoy. “And of course, in our relationship with Bangladesh, the respect for fundamental freedoms is very prominent,” Miller said while responding to a question. The EU Ambassador was accompanied by a delegation of Ambassadors of EU Member States resident in Dhaka - Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden. During the meeting, the ambassadors congratulated Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for the massive victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in the parliamentary election. They also felicitated the Foreign Minister for his new assignment. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the advancement of Bangladesh-EU relations and underscored that the partnership has evolved into a multifaceted relationship. The ambassadors reaffirmed their intention to work closely with the present government to further maximise the longstanding, predictable and mutually beneficial Bangladesh-EU partnership. The ambassadors lauded Bangladesh’s democratic transition and reaffirmed their continued engagement in support of constitutional, judicial, labour and other important reforms. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur appreciated the European Union’s deployment of a large Election Observation Mission (EOM) for the February 12, 2026 national election and reiterated the government’s commitment to democratic consolidation, the rule of law and good governance. The two sides exchanged views on the possibility of commencement of negotiations toward a comprehensive Bangladesh-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They also addressed topics of mutual interest including regional and global developments, humanitarian issues, water resource management, climate change, maritime economy, migration management, skill development and employment generation. Earlier in the day, the Ambassadors greeted State Minister Shama Obaed on her recent appointment. The State Minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to advancing this win-win relation and welcomed enhanced engagement with the European Union and its Member States in areas of shared priority.

The European Union Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (EuroCham Bangladesh) on Saturday reiterated grave concern over ongoing disruptions at Chattogram Port, which are inflicting mounting economic losses, jeopardising export performance and undermining confidence in Bangladesh’s supply chain reliability. EuroCham Bangladesh stressed that predictable, uninterrupted and efficient port operations are essential for safeguarding export performance, protecting millions of jobs indirectly supported by overseas demand, and maintaining Bangladesh’s reputation as a reliable sourcing destination for European and global markets. EU apparel imports from Bangladesh recently exceeded US$9.6bn. EuroCham Bangladesh urged all relevant stakeholders to take immediate steps to ensure the full resumption of normal port operations. EuroCham Bangladesh urged resolve ongoing disputes through constructive dialogue in a manner that safeguards national economic interests and advance port modernisation initiatives that enhance efficiency, reliability and long-term competitiveness as well as predictability. EuroCham Bangladesh said it remains committed to supporting business growth thus strengthening Bangladesh’s trade infrastructure and stands ready to engage constructively with authorities and stakeholders to help ensure a stable, efficient and future-ready port system. Chattogram Port handles more than 90 per cent of Bangladesh’s international trade and is the primary gateway for the country’s export-oriented industries. Bangladesh export sector faces global economic headwinds, domestic challenges: Experts Under normal conditions, the port moves around 2,000-2,500 export containers daily. Over recent days, however, work stoppages have brought operations almost entirely to a standstill, leaving export goods and container movements in limbo. EuroCham members and European brands sourcing from Bangladesh are reporting growing concern. With export schedules collapsing, delivery windows are being missed and additional logistics costs are accruing. In monetary terms, export goods valued at an estimated US$660m (around Tk 80 billion) are currently stuck in around 13,000 containers at port facilities, private depots and ships unable to berth or depart. Approximately 13,000 export containers carrying US$660m in goods are currently stuck due to work stoppages. In 2024–25 the port handled more than 831,000 export container units valued at US$42.3bn. Textiles and RMG account for around 80 per cent of Bangladesh’s exports, making the country the world’s second-largest garment exporter.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Sunday called for an early start to Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the European Union, stressing the need for safeguarding Bangladesh’s trade preferences in its largest export market once the current duty-free access expires in the coming years. The Chief Adviser made the remarks during a courtesy call by Nuria Lopez, Chairperson of the European Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (EuroCham), at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka. European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller took part in the meeting. During the discussion, they discussed the need to accelerate European investment in Bangladesh, how to ensure smooth trade relations between Bangladesh and the EU, and the need for further reforms to improve the country’s business climate, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. They also discussed the upcoming elections and the deployment of international observers to monitor the polls. Prof Yunus said the interim government has recently concluded an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan, paving the way for duty-free access for more than 7,300 Bangladeshi products to the world’s fourth-largest economy. He said that Bangladesh is preparing to hold similar negotiations with other countries, including the European Union, to ensure continued duty-free access for its products, particularly ready-made garments, to the EU market for the foreseeable future. “The EPA with Japan has opened doors for us. It gives renewed hope to our export items. We definitely hope to sign an FTA with the EU to expand our market,” the Chief Adviser said. EuroCham Chairperson Nuria Lopez said Bangladesh needs to begin FTA negotiations urgently, as the country may lose its existing trade preferences in the EU, its largest export destination, after graduating from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. She said that an FTA would attract more European investment to Bangladesh, create jobs and boost exports to advanced Western markets. Lopez pointed out that India is signing an FTA with the EU, while Vietnam already has such an agreement, allowing both middle-income countries preferential access to the European market. “We are advocating for an FTA. I will go to Europe to encourage private companies to invest in Bangladesh,” she said. EU Ambassador Michael Miller said that the commercial relationship with Bangladesh will evolve after graduation but not before 2029. He underlined the EU’s strong interest to bring European investment and technology to the country, an important market with a population of nearly 200 million, and spoke about the EU readiness to organise an EU/Bangladesh Business Forum in 2026. “We are looking for early political signals that EU companies will be encouraged to come and will enjoy a level playing field,” he said. The Chief Adviser also emphasised the relocation of factories to Bangladesh, noting that European firms can take advantage of the country’s large pool of skilled labour at competitive costs. “We are building a free trade zone. Our aim is to turn Bangladesh into a manufacturing hub for global businesses. We want more European investment in Bangladesh,” he said. Prof Yunus expressed satisfaction over the EU’s decision to deploy a large contingent of election observers to Bangladesh for the upcoming general elections and referendum. “It is important that EU election observers are here. It is a huge vote of confidence in revitalising our democracy,” he said, adding that the overall picture of the election campaign was ‘very positive’. Lamiya Morshed, SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator and Senior Secretary of the government, was also present at the meeting.