Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Thursday held a courtesy meeting with a high-level European Union (EU) delegation led by Henrik Nielsen, Director for International Affairs and Director-General for Migration and Home Affairs at the European Commission, at his office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban here.
The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and focused on a range of issues of mutual interests, ministry sources said.
Issues of law and order, security sector reforms, prevention of irregular migration, strengthening the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the upcoming visit of the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs to Bangladesh were discussed.
Welcoming the delegation, Salahuddin Ahmed said, "The European Union is one of the most reliable and trusted development partners of Bangladesh.”
He expressed optimism that bilateral and strategic relations between Bangladesh and the EU would continue to deepen in the coming years.
During the discussions, the home minister briefed the delegation on the present government’s reform initiatives aimed at establishing a stronger National Human Rights Commission and ensuring the full independence of the judiciary.
“We assumed office at a time when the country was facing fragile law and order and economy,” Salahuddin said.
“Over the past four months, timely and effective measures undertaken by the present government have led to a satisfactory improvement in the overall law-and-order,” he added.
He further added that consultations with stakeholders and experts were underway to establish a human rights commission of international standards.
According to Salahuddin Ahmed, the institution is being restructured in a manner that takes into account Bangladesh’s religious and social context while strengthening the rule of law.
Migration and mobility issues featured prominently in the discussions. The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy against human trafficking, migrant smuggling and all forms of irregular migration.
He stated, “Bangladesh and the EU would further strengthen cooperation under the 2017 EU–Bangladesh Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) framework to facilitate the safe return of irregular migrants and combat human trafficking.”
The two sides also discussed the European Union’s new Asylum and Return Border Procedure, which is scheduled to take effect on June 12, 2026.
Salahuddin Ahmed assured the EU of Bangladesh’s full cooperation regarding the implementation of the new framework.
Nielsen urged Bangladesh to adopt more effective measures to promote regular migration channels and curb illegal migration and migrant smuggling. He also reaffirmed the EU’s support for Bangladesh’s ongoing security sector reforms.
The meeting further highlighted the importance of a potential visit by EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Magnus Brunner to Bangladesh in October this year. The Home Minister hoped that the visit would elevate bilateral relations to a new level.
Among others, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller, Head of the International Affairs and Migration Sector at the European Commission Aleksandra Domanska and senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the European Union were present.
