Bangladesh, Denmark aim to bolster bilateral ties
Diplomatic Correspondent :
Bangladesh and Denmark have expressed a strong commitment to deepening bilateral ties across various sectors, with a focus on political cooperation, trade, investment, climate change, and renewable energy.
The two countries expressed it during the third round of political consultations in Dhaka on Monday, seeking to enhance their relationship built on shared values and mutual respect, Foreign Ministry said.
The consultations were co-chaired by Md Abul Hasan Mridha, Director General of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador Thomas Lund-Sorensen, Director General for Asia, Oceania, Latin America, and the Caribbean at Denmark’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Denmark, AKM Shahidul Karim, and Denmark’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Christian Brix Moller were also present on the occasion.
The two delegations held productive and wide-ranging discussions on political cooperation, trade and investment, development cooperation, climate change, green and just transition, maritime affairs, renewable energy, education, technology, people-to-people contacts, and regional and global issues of mutual interest.
Denmark reiterated its continued commitment to supporting the Interim Government in its transition towards a peaceful, democratic, and equitable Bangladesh.
The Danish side also commended the Interim Government’s role in advancing the climate action agenda and emphasized continued cooperation under the of the bilateral Green Strategic Partnership Framework.
Bangladesh expressed its appreciation for Denmark’s longstanding development cooperation, particularly in the areas of good governance, agriculture, climate change, and the maritime sector.
Both sides agreed to explore opportunities for expanded collaboration in areas such as water resource management, the blue economy, and green technology.
The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and investment, including through initiatives aimed at facilitating market access and promoting sustainable economic growth.
They agreed to establish a Joint Trade and Investment Committee to unlock trade potential and accelerate investments. Bangladesh also sought Denmark’s support for its bid to benefit from the EU’s GSP+ facility beyond 2029.
Both sides agreed to continue cooperation in education and cultural exchange, including academic collaboration, scholarships, and cultural programmes, in order to foster mutual understanding and strengthen people-to-people ties.
Denmark reaffirmed its continued humanitarian support for the forcibly displaced Rohingyas and the host communities in Bangladesh.
The Danish side also reiterated its commitment to finding a durable solution to the crisis, including through the dignified, safe, voluntary, and sustainable repatriation of Rohingyas to Myanmar.
The two parties exchanged views on recent developments in their respective regions and reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, stability, and regional integration.
At the conclusion of the Consultations, Denmark announced an additional allocation of five million USD to support Bangladesh’s democratic transition, in response to a request from the Government of Bangladesh.
The Danish side also expressed its intention to developing a new strategic sectoral cooperation in the area of circular economy, with a particular focus on the ready-made garments (RMG) sector.
At the end of the consultations, both countries agreed to hold the fourth round of political consultations in Copenhagen at a mutually convenient time, continuing their collaborative efforts to strengthen bilateral ties in the years to come.