Courtesy call by high-level delegation of the European Union with the Home Minister:
Courtesy call by high-level delegation of the European Union with the Home Minister:
MD Babul Bangladesh correspondent
Joint emphasis on security sector reform, independence of the judiciary and prevention of irregular migration
Dhaka, 28 Jyishta 1433 Bangabhab (June 11, 2026 AD):
A high-level delegation led by Mr. Henrik Nielsen, Director of the European Union’s Directorate-General for International Affairs, Returns and Visas and Director-General for Migration and Home Affairs of the European Commission, paid a courtesy call on the Home Minister of Bangladesh, Salahuddin Ahmed, at his office in the Bangladesh Parliament today.
In this meeting, which was held in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere, the two sides discussed in detail various issues of mutual interest, including the law and order and security situation, prevention of illegal migration, security sector reform, strengthening of the National Human Rights Commission and the upcoming visit of the European Commissioner for Home Affairs to Bangladesh.
During the interview, the Home Minister welcomed the delegation to Bangladesh and said that the European Union (EU) is one of the most reliable and trustworthy partners in the development progress of Bangladesh. He expressed hope to further strengthen bilateral and strategic relations with the EU in the coming days. In the meeting, the Head of the EU Delegation, Henrik Nielsen, sincerely congratulated the Minister on assuming his new responsibility.
The delegation was informed about the various reform-oriented steps and commitments taken by the current government to form a strong National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and ensure full judicial independence. In this regard, the Minister said, “We took power in a fragile law and order and economic situation in the country. As a result of timely and effective steps taken by the current government in the last four months, the overall law and order situation in the country has improved satisfactorily.” He further said that the opinions of relevant stakeholders and experts are being taken to form a human rights commission of international standards and the institution is being restructured in such a way that the rule of law is well established in the country, taking into account the religious and social context of the country.
The bilateral meeting focused on the migration and mobility dialogue. In this regard, the minister said that the current government is determined to follow the ‘zero-tolerance’ policy against human trafficking, migrant smuggling and all forms of irregular migration. Mutual cooperation will be further strengthened in the safe repatriation of irregular migrants and prevention of human trafficking under the 2017 EU-Bangladesh Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
The meeting discussed the EU’s new ‘Asylum and Return Border Procedure’, which will come into effect from June 12, 2026. The minister assured Bangladesh of all-round cooperation in this regard.
EU Director Henrik Nielsen requested Bangladesh to take more effective measures to encourage regular migration and prevent illegal migration and smuggling. He also assured the EU of its support for the overall reform of Bangladesh’s security sector.
The meeting discussed the possible visit of European Union Home Affairs Commissioner Magnus Oswald Brunner to Bangladesh in October. The Bangladesh side welcomed the visit and expressed its determination to take bilateral relations to new heights.
The delegation included European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, Head of the European Commission’s International Affairs and Migration Sector Aleksandra Domanska, and relevant officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the EU.
